Hi, 3-73
£
Presented to the
LIBRARY of the
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
from
the estate of
J. Stuart Fleming
THE
CANADAS
AS THEY NOW ARE.
COMPREHENDING A VIEW OF THEIR CLIMATE, RIVERS,
LAKES, CANALS, GOVERNMENT, LAWS, TAXES,
TOWNS, TRADE, &c.
WITH A
DESCRIPTION OF THE SOIL AND ADVANTAGES
OR DISADVANTAGES OF EVERY TOWN-
SHIP IN EACH PROVINCE :
THE REPORTS OF THE INSPECTORS MADE TO THE
JUSTICES AT QUARTER-SESSIONS, AND FROM
OTHER AUTHENTIC SOURCES,
ASSISTED BY LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.
WITH A MAP,
SHOWING THE POSITION OF EACH TOWNSHIP,
A Point of the utmost Consequence to the Settler ;
COMPILED WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE PARTICULAR INTEREST
OF ANY LAND COMPANY OR ASSOCIATION.
BY A LATE RESIDENT.
/ '"f' f - P f
LONDON :
JAMES DUNCAN, 37, PATERNOSTER ROW;
CROSS, HOLBORN; and MANN, CORNHILL.
MDCCCXXXIII.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES,
Stamford Street.
ADVERTISEMENT.
It is, perhaps, incumbent on the Author or Compiler of
a book on a subject already before the public in different
shapes, to give some reasons why he presumes to add to
the number, and, by a sort of tacit compact between the
parties, it is generally expected.
In compliance with such reasonable expectation, the
Compiler of the following sheets will, without further
circumlocution, proceed to set forth some of the reasons
he has to offer in his excuse.
In the first place, Colonel Bouchett’s work on Ca-
nada is too expensive to come within the reach of the
great mass of emigrants.
In the next, of the small books that have professed to
give an account of the provinces of Canada, some are
occupied with matter only partially interesting, and re-
lating to some particular section of the country. Others
are calculated rather to amuse, by their lively descrip-
tions of some of the occurrences of a settler’s life, than to
afford solid and comprehensive information. Some,
again, by their omissions, and allusions to old accounts,
long since inapplicable to the present state of things,
give internal evidence of being compiled by persons not
a 2
IV
ADVERTISEMENT.
actually acquainted with the country on which they
write ; while others, though containing much valuable
information, have, by repeating the same information in
a somewhat different form, together with dwelling on sub-
jects of no real importance, managed to make a thick and
expensive book, and, at the same time, in some measure,
mystify that part which is truly useful ; and last, though
not least, most of them are from the pens of gentlemen
having connexion with the Land Companies, and, as a
natural consequence, have been influenced by that con-
nexion, to give a more prominent place to their settle-
ments than they may deserve : not that it is intended to
deny to the Canada Land Company or their servants
their due meed of praise — and they are entitled to a con-
siderable share-— but if a personal friend, with 200/. or
300/. or more, were to ask the Author if he would ad-
vise him to settle at Guelph or Goderich, he would
reply, ‘ Certainly not at the latter, nor at the former,
unless you are too indolent to look for a more eligible
spot, plenty of which are to be found with a little trouble
and the exercise of discrimination/
In the compilation of this work, the Author has en-
deavoured to avoid the errors of his forerunners ; and,
whilst it has been his study not to omit any feature of
prominent and universal interest, he has sought, with
equal solicitude, to adopt a mode of arrangement by
which the information contained may be rendered avail-
able to the inquirer of any degree of intelligence.
As there are many persons contemplating emigration
who are not decided whether to proceed to the Cana-
ADVERTISEMENT.
V
das, or the United States, and some who, although they
are rather inclined to go to the Canadas, yet resolve to
go by the way of New York, and thus have an opportu-
nity of judging for themselves, he thought it would be
acceptable to give a short sketch of the city and state of
New York, and some other matters interesting to an
emigrant, together with the route from New York to
Upper Canada.
He will only add, that he hopes the matter-of-fact
nature of the subject, added to the conviction of the
incomplete and erroneous character of many of the de-
scriptions of Canada, will plead his excuse for taking up
the pen, well knowing his inability to clothe any other
than such a statistical subject in tolerable language.
f
INTRODUCTION.
That a correct knowledge of the geographical
position and formation of a country is of the
first importance to the inhabitants of that coun-
try, is an assertion, that few7 or none will be
found to dispute ; but this knowledge, except to
the statesman and merchant, is of little conse-
quence to the inhabitants of Europe, compared
to the vast influence which a thorough acquaint-
ance with the face of the country exercises over
the ultimate prosperity of individuals in a region
so thinly peopled as America, where the situa-
tion, or, as the Americans term it, the locality of
the land, constitutes the greatest part of its
value.
For want of a tolerably accurate idea of the
course of the navigable waters, and the means of
reaching a market, a man may set himself down
in the face of difficulties which he may not dis-
cover for years ; and then the chances are, that
his life will not last long enough to correct his
error, and he must content himself with his lot
INTRODUCTION.
viii
in the best manner he may : at any rate,, his past
labour is lost, or nearly so.
This matter is so well understood and appre-
ciated in the United States, that the greatest
attention is paid to mapping, and the study of
maps. The rivers and canals are laid down
most conspicuously, with all the canals and rail-
roads that are only projected ; and even situa-
tions, where facilities present themselves for their
construction, are pointed out. Scarcely any
person is met on a journey without a map of
the state in which he is travelling; and the cheap
rate at which they are got up, and the portabi-
lity of their bindings, speak forcibly of the uni-
versal estimation in which such knowledge is
held.
It is not every American custom which is
worth copying, but this one is founded in such
good sense, and has so evidently arisen from the
necessity of the case, that it would be unpardon-
able not to follow it.
In looking over the best maps of Canada, the
inexperienced eye is bewildered by the multi-
plicity of water-courses over the face of the
whole country. The great majority of these,
however valuable they may be for irrigation
and for milling purposes, are not at present
navigable, though many are capable of being
made so, whenever the increased settlement will
INTRODUCTION.
IX
warrant the expense. It has, therefore, been
thought best to leave these out in the map ac-
companying the present sketch, because they
draw off the attention from the main streams,
and, besides, they are mostly alluded to in the
letter-press account of the advantages of each
township, and also because all who have land to
dispose of, whether individuals or large pro-
prietors, have maps whereon their lands are de-
scribed on a larger scale.
Roads are comparatively of small importance
in Canada, and do not engage a large share of
attention, except in the neighbourhood of the
larger towns ; and, for obvious reasons ; any one
will imagine the great labour in making a road
through a forest, and, when made, of keeping it
in tolerable plight to bear heavy loads in the
spring and autumn ; besides, the frost and snow
convert the worst roads into the best, for the
rapid and easy conveyance of heavy loads on
sledges. Most of the streams, though not navi-
gable in summer, are converted into excellent
roads in the winter ; and, therefore, all the heavy
work upon a farm, the conveyance of produce to
market, and the receiving heavy goods from the
nearest port, is reserved to that time ; and hence
the necessity for good roads is not felt so greatly
as it would be if the winters did not so conve-
niently and delightfully supply the defect.
X
INTRODUCTION.
It would be quite superfluous to reiterate
arguments to an American, in proof of the ad-
vantages of being seated on or near a navigable
water; nor should it be further noticed here,
but that some persons, from interested motives,
have contended that the small settler is not so
much interested in this question, because he can
find a purchaser in the nearest storekeeper. It
is true that he may find it his best interest to
dispose of his crop to him ; but as the latter pur-
chases with the sole intent of sending it to the
great ports, the cost of transport , he it more or
less , must he paid out of the produce, and nothing
else. To this consideration is to be superadded,
that the cost of every article consumed on the
farm must be enhanced from the same cause.
It is also true that land near the great lakes
and rivers is not to be obtained except at a high
price, compared with the inland tracts, (what
need of greater proof of the value of water-com-
munication ?) and that fine land on Lake Huron
or Lake Erie may be had at a much less price
than land near Lake Ontario ; but the real
value of each is pretty accurately measured.
The small expense of reaching a market com-
pensates for an increased outlay in the land.
But as it is quite impossible for every emi-
grant (especially those of small means) to get
land near the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario,
INTRODUCTION.
XI
it becomes consequently a point of importance
that he should set himself down as near them as
possible. For this purpose it is presumed that
the map will afford valuable information, exhi-
biting in the plainest manner the relative situa-
tion of every one of the 446 townships into
which the provinces are divided ; and as it is the
custom, in speaking of land, to say that it is
situate in such a township and district (not
naming the county), there can be no difficulty,
by the alphabetical arrangement of their names,
and by the descriptions of each, by the autho-
rized surveyors in Part II., in at once discovering
whether the description given of any township by
the seller is generally correct.
There are three modes of obtaining land in
either of the Canadas : first from government, to
whom application may be made at Quebec for
land in the Lower Province ; and at the Go-
vernment Office at York, for land in the Upper
Province. Mr. Buchanan of Quebec is, how-
ever, authorized to treat for, and dispose of the
crown lands in both provinces, and will explain
their situation, and the terms on which they will
be granted. See Appendix No. 1.
The second mode of purchasing land is from
the Land Companies. The British-American
Land Association is not yet prepared for busi-
ness ; it is understood that they will confine
XU
INTRODUCTION.
themselves to the Lower Province, and principally
to the townships in the district of St. Francis.
The Canada Land Company have not any
land in the Lower Province ; they have some in
almost all the townships of the Upper Province,
besides the Huron tract of 1,100,000 acres, and
the township of Guelph, which are entirely theirs.
Mr. Davidson is their agent at Quebec, and
Messrs. Hart, Logan, and Co. at Montreal. These
persons cannot, however, conclude purchases,
and it is nearly waste of time to inquire of them.
In the summer, Mr. Corbet, the Company’s
agent, resides at Quebec, and is well qualified to
give every information as to their lands, and the
best mode of reaching York, where their office is»
and where only bargains can be concluded.
The third mode of obtaining land, either in its
wild state, or partially cleared and cultivated, is
by purchase from individual proprietors ; at the
sheriffs sales ; or at the annual sales of land
which has been granted, and where the grantees
have failed in performing the conditions of the
grant, or to pay the assessment of one penny
per annum on every five acres.
There is some risk in purchasing land in the
Lower Province from individuals; and great
caution should be exercised, part only being sub-
ject to registry ; but in the Upper Province there
is little danger of getting a bad title, as every
INTRODUCTION.
xiii
part is subject to registry, and common pru-
dence is sufficient to guard against that risk.
It may here be allowed to call the attention
of the intended settler to the situation of the
Canada Company’s large tracts, viz., Guelph
and the Huron tract.
Individuals of small means, and not connected
with others going out with the like intentions,
may perhaps not do amiss by taking up land at
Guelph, which is within thirty miles of a port on
Lake Ontario, to which there is a road called
good in American phrase, but which will not be
estimated at that rate by an Englishman, until
he has lost all recollection of those which he
has been in the habit of calling bad . The land
bears an excellent character ; and the Company
have erected mills and stores, which are, doubt-
less, very essential establishments to be within
reasonable distance of a settler.
Goderich, in the Huron tract, it will be seen
by the Map, is removed from Lake Ontario be-
tween 400 and 500 miles by water-communica-
tion. The 80 or 90 miles of road from Gode-
rich to Port Talbot on Lake Erie would reduce
the distance ; but such a route is not to be
looked to for the advantageous conveyance of
produce to a market, in such a country as Ame-
rica. There is surely no need of argument to
prove that a bushel of wheat is of less value, by
b
XIV
INTRODUCTION.
something very considerable, in the Huron
tract, than it is on the shores of Lake Ontario,,
and at the same time that any article of British
manufacture or West Indian produce must be
dearer in the first than in the last-named situa-
tion ; and; therefore till land situate some hun-
dreds of miles nearer the great markets of con-
sumption and supply has become more scarce
than it at present is, or is likely to be for many
years to come; it certainly appears very question -
able policy for any individual to fix himself at so
remote a distance. But if these points deserve
the attention of persons with scanty means; still
more do they press themselves on those who are
possessed of some capital; and whose lives have
been spent in a well-peopled land, and in the
interchange of the charities and civilities of life,
the worth of which are not fully discovered till
their loss is felt. By a little inquiry and perse-
verance, plenty of land may be found near the
shores of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario,
either wild, or partially cleared, and possessing
all the advantages of Guelph or the Huron
tract, besides being within a reasonable distance
of the large towns and markets, and wearing alto-
gether an aspect not so repulsive to an old coun-
try man (as the Europeans are called) as the
interminable wilds of Guelph or Lake Huron.
The Lower Province, although possessing the
INTRODUCTION.
XV
advantage over the Upper, in respect to the
markets for grain and other exportable produce,
including beef and pork, and also possessing the
large cities of Montreal and Quebec, at which
many of the smaller productions of a farm will
bring a good price, yet, from the length and
severity of the winters, is undoubtedly calculated
rather for the Scotch and north of England
farmer, than for any other class of agricul-
turists.
The descriptions of the townships in the Lower
Province are taken chiefly from the reports of
their qualities, &c., by Lieutenant-Colonel Bou-
chett, the surveyor-general.
The descriptions of the townships in the Upper
Province are mostly taken from the reports
made by the deputy surveyors and inspectors
to the justices at quarter-sessions and to the
Provincial Government, assisted by the general
knowledge gained by the Author during two
years' residence. (1830 and 1831), and travelling
on the great line of the St. Lawrence and the
Lakes ; and he will esteem himself happy if his
labour should be found serviceable in rendering
this interesting country, both to the agriculturist
and trader, better known, and its advantages
properly appreciated.
London , January , 1833.
PART I.
GENERAL VIEW.
Preparations for the Voyage, fyc.—New York and
the principal Towns in that State-Route to
Upper Canada.
In whatever part of the United Kingdom the in-
tended Emigrant is situated, he will have no diffi-
culty in finding a port from whence to embark for
the Western Continent. London, Liverpool, Bristol,
Hull, Leith, and Belfast are, of course, the principal,
but from most of the minor ports some vessels take
their departure for Quebec and Montreal, between
the 20th of March and the end of September. Ships
for New York are sailing all the year.
In seeking for a ship, persons are advised to trust
more to their own discrimination than to any agent,
who, knowing he is not likely again to see the face of
his employer, has no care beyond that of getting his
fee. The ship should be visited, and her various ac-
commodations inquired into ; as the height she has
between decks ; what number of berths or sleeping-
places there are, and how many are to occupy each ;
B
2
THE VOYAGE.
the number and situation of the water-closets ; the
accommodations for cooking, and any other points
which may suggest themselves. If you are taking
your wives and children you should be more parti-
cular than otherwise you need be. Some idea may
formed whether the number of passengers named is
too much, and preference should be given to the
ship carrying the least number*.
Persons whose means enable them to pay for a
cabin passage should visit the ship, and inspect the
accommodations, and also ascertain the quantity of
live-stock they will take, and what proportion it
bears to the number of passengers, as cabin-pas-
sengers are generally found by the captain ; also, if
any, and what bedding is provided ; what wine and
liquors are allowed, and other inferior matters; and,
on paying the passage-money, all parties should
take a receipt, expressing as fully as possible all the
items agreed upon, and also that no charge is to be
made for luggage.
There are none but British ships sail for Canada,
but for New York there are both British and Ame-
rican. The accommodations on board the latter are
certainly very excellent, but the charge is somewhat
higher than the British ; and although the splendid
appearance of the cabins, when in port , is very im-
posing to a landsman, yet those who have sailed in
* See the u Information published hy the Commissioners for
Emigration,” price 2d. Knight, Pall-Mall East, and other
Booksellers.
THE VOYAGE.
3
both generally prefer the arrangement of the cabins
of a British ship as by far the most comfortable.
A poop, or quarter-deck, is also, for many reasons,
very desirable, especially in a ship with a large num-
ber of passengers, and none of the American ships
have quarter-decks. Some of the British vessels
have an intermediate cabin separated from the
steerage, by which persons of respectability, though
of small means, may avoid the indiscriminate mix-
ture in the steerage of the American ships. There
are also other points in which there is a difference,
and though they would sound trivial on shore, yet
they assume a different character at sea. Upon the
whole there is no hesitation in declaring that an
Englishman will find himself more at home in a
British than in an American ship. The price is en-
tirely an affair of arrangement, as less is frequently
taken than is asked, and less at some seasons than
at others.
Those who decide upon providing their own pro-
visions (and perhaps nine out of ten will be more
satisfied with it 5 besides, the employment which the
cooking and preparing it affords is likely to be
pleasant rather than otherwise, by keeping the mind,
in some measure, engaged) may calculate that the
voyage to New York will be performed in from
twenty-five to fifty days, so that provisions for forty
days will, in all reasonable probability, last them the
voyage. Few persons will consume more than a
pound of biscuits per day. Flour and oatmeal
b 2
4
THE VOYAGE.
should not be forgotten, if there are children espe-
cially. Potatoes are a valuable article in a sea-
voyage ; so are apples, onions, and pickles. Beef
and pork may be varied with some bacon and a few
herrings : the two last may be packed in pea-chaff,
to absorb the moisture. Eggs may be securely
packed in salt or bran, and are excellent food either
by themselves or with bacon : some rice, with tea,
sugar, butter, and other small articles, will make up
all that is requisite for the sea-store. One or more
large cakes, with carraway-seeds, &c., if made im-
mediately before sailing, would keep moist and good
a long time, and would be most acceptable to chil-
dren. Spirits may, perhaps, be purchased of the
captain cheaper than on shore, because he has no
duty to pay on his stores, but inquiry must be made
as to that point. There will likewise be required a
tea-kettle and one or two saucepans, and the neces-
sary crockery, &e. ; also a large stone-bottle or small
keg, to hold the daily allowance of water.
A box, divided into compartments, will be found
very serviceable in keeping articles as separate as
possible, and preventing breakage. Cord, to lash
the boxes to some part of the vessel, must not be
forgotten : for the want of which great damage is
sometimes done at sea to crockery, &c. The meat
should not be in large pieces, and perhaps it would
be best to divide it into two tubs, that if any pieces
are not good or require using they may be separated
from the others. As to bedding, it is as well to
THE VOYAGE.
5
remark that good beds and blankets will stand a
good chance of being1 spoiled, and therefore anything
is good enough for the voyage which will answer the
purpose. The same may be said of clothing, all of
which, except that intended to be used on the pas-
sage, should be well packed in separate boxes, not
to be opened, as the sea air is best excluded.
Having thus prepared the necessaries for use
during the voyage, the next matter is to prepare
yourself ; and, if you have a desire to avoid sea-sick-
ness, the experience of one who has tried its efficacy
is subjoined. A few days previous to embarkation,
by two or more doses of medicine, at proper inter-
vals, make sure of a clear stomach, which is of the
greatest importance. Be provided with some medi-
cine, to remedy any confinement or relaxation which
may occur during the voyage, and do not neglect to
use them should there be occasion. Be as much
upon deck as you can when the weather will permit,
and be frequently on the move : accommodate your-
self to the motion of the ship, laying hold of the
ropes, &c., as you would in a swing ; and by no means
resist the motion, as some will attempt to do, and
always to their cost. Cheerfulness and gaiety, with
cleanliness added to the above, will very likely se-
cure you from illness, but will be quite sure to miti-
gate any that may arise ; and, after all, a voyage
across the Atlantic is not so formidable an affair as
some imagine it to be — if the vessel be not too much
crowded.
6
NEW YORK.
At New York a tax of one dollar is levied on each
emigrant ; and all articles, except clothing, are sub-
ject to heavy duties.
At Quebec there is a tax of one dollar on every
adult emigrant, and half a dollar on children from
seven to fourteen, but no duty on any article for use
or consumption, although it is not advisable to take
any heavy or cumbrous goods, especially if the in-
tention is not fixed to a particular spot, or if the
emigrant intends to proceed to the upper province.
The voyage to Quebec is generally rather longer
than to New York, and prudence requires a propor-
tional augmentation to the sea-store : perhaps provi- ~
sions for sixty days will not be required by nineteen
ships out of twenty, yet it is a serious affair to be
short of provisions at sea, and the safest way is to
provide for that time or near it.
The shortest passages are usually made to Ame-
rica in the spring, and from thence to Europe in
the fall.
ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK.
On arriving at New York, the first affair to be at-
tended to is the providing a residence. The custom
of living at lodging and boarding houses is much
more general than anywhere in England, so that
little difficulty is experienced in finding plenty,
whose terms are from two to four dollars per week ;
NEW YORK.
7
and as no notice of quitting is ever expected more
than a day or so, if convenient, it is not so necessary
to be particular at first. Very genteel lodgings,
with good living, maybe obtained for three or three
dollars and a half, which will include all that is re-
quired, without any extra charge.
Persons with families will have more trouble to
find accommodation. The most eligible mode of
procedure for them will be to seek in the upper part
of the town for apartments ; and as the sale of pro-
visions is confined to the markets, which are pretty
well scattered about, no time will be lost in pro-
viding for a family.
One of the first things which will require the at-
tention of the newly-arrived is the circulating me-
dium : the dollar and its fractional parts constitute
almost the entire circulation of the United States.
They have a coinage of gold and silver, but of the
former scarce any are seen in circulation, and the
latter consists of half-dollars, orfifty-cent pieces, ten-
cent pieces, and five-cent pieces. But the great bulk
of the specie in use is the Spanish dollar, and its
subdivisions. The only copper coin is the cent,
which is the TJirth part of a dollar, and is also called
a penny, but it is scarcely equal to our halfpenny.
The sixteenth part of the dollar is called six-pence ;
the eighth part a shilling; the fourth part two shil-
lings ; the half four shillings ; and the dollar eight
shillings ; so that the whole of the money in use is
but of half the value of pieces of corresponding
8
CIRCULATING MEDIUM.
names in England. And it is very necessary to at-
tend to this fact, not only when in America, but in
all communications on the subject of wages, &c.,
and also the information contained in books, for if
the price of labour is named in New York currency,
and the price of provisions in English currency,
which is sometimes the case, the truth is most shock-
ingly distorted, and the state of things made to ap-
pear much more in favour of the United States than
the reality warrants.
It is here also to be remarked that although the
dollar is the universal coin of the whole United
States, and consequently it, with its divisions, is of
the same real value every where, yet the several parts
are called by various names in different States.
Boston and Philadelphia differ from each other, and
both from New York, in the names and apparent
value of the parts of the dollar. All accounts are
kept in dollars and cents.
The emigrant, if he is an artisan, should lose no
time in getting employment, but is advised on no
account to engage for an extended time, but rather
take low wages at first: for by this means he is likely
to gain information which may be of use in directing
his future steps.
Considerable caution is requisite in attending to
accounts of the demand for labourers or mechanics
in this or that place, for in no one feature do the
Americans differ from the English more than in the
universal desire for changing about ; which urges
PROCURING EMPLOYMENT.
9
them to be ever on the look out for new opportuni-
ties for enterprise, and which most frequently prove
of little or no advantage to the individual, however
the community may eventually benefit by this spirit.
If the emigrant is an agricultural labourer, he
should lose no time in inquiring into the demand
for labour. English farming men will find them-
selves at first quite unable to cope with the Ameri-
can labourer in clearing new land, and operations on
new farms ; and till they have had some experience,
perhaps it would be best to get work, if possible,
in some of the older states.
The New England States, which lie north of New
York, were the first settled, and are in a higher state
of cultivation than the other States. The population
is also greater, but for many years there has been
very extensive emigration from these States to the
western States on the Mississippi, and more recently
to the Michegan territory; added to which there are
many manufactories established there, which thin
the agricultural labourers by the numbers employed
therein. Taking all these things into consideration,
it would, perhaps, be prudent to endeavour to get
work in those States, at least, for a time, and it may
also be observed that the habits of the people, and
their mode of living, do not differ in so great a de-
gree from the English as in the more remote States.
Persons who carry money with them of more or
less amount, with the intention of purchasing land,
must not allow their vigilance to slumber. There
b 5
10
PURCHASING LAN0.
will be no want of tempting bargains by the hundred?
but not a little circumspection will be required to
secure one good one.
Good land near New York, or any of the prin-
cipal towns, brings a high price, and generally any
land in this state offered at a low price may be sus-
pected, and must be personally examined, and the
title investigated by some attorney of known respect-
ability, The same observation applies to most of the
older States.
It is quite impossible to glance at the numerous
ways in which the sovereigns and dollars of John
Bull may take flight if he does not keep a sharp
look out ; nor need he, in a general way, look for
any commiseration from cousin Jonathan, who will
only laugh at his misfortune, he not being quite able
to distinguish the difference between an honourable
confidence and a want of sense, to which latter he
attributes the comparative ease with which an
Englishman is deceived.
As general advice, it is recommended not to be
in haste. To acquire a general knowledge of the
face of the country, with the navigable rivers, and
the means of reaching a market, by studying the
maps of each State, to which the attention is directed.
Always to look at the land before purchase, and
then to have the title well investigated, for the
chances of a bad one are much greater than they
are in England, where, from the great value of land,
more circumspection is exercised. In conclusion, it
CAUTION IN TRADE. 11
may be remarked that a stranger is scarcely likely to
meet with a real bargain of land at auction.
Persons emigrating to the United States with the
intention of employing more or less cash in trade,
will have need of all their care, and should not en-
gage in any pursuit till they have, in some measure,
made themselves acquainted with the habits and
methods of the people they have arrived amongst.
In accomplishing this they will encounter some con*
siderable difficulty, for the Americans, although they
are extremely inquisitive into all the concerns of a
stranger, are not at all communicative as to any
matter that really concerns themselves. It is, per-
haps, almost needless to remark, that the tempting
offers in the newspapers, and the numerous agency
offices, are to be avoided, and that it is ever to be
kept in remembrance that in New York are large
numbers of persons who have been compelled to
quit England for frauds similar to those which they
still continue to practise.
If the emigrant arrives in the spring, he will be
captivated with the bustle on the quays, at the public
sales,, and in the streets of business, which wear an
animating and thriving aspect ; but all this does not
determine whether the business which is the occa-
sion of these enlivening appearances is productive
of substantial profit.
The following facts are submitted, and the in-
tended emigrant is left to draw his own inference.
Nearly the whole circulation of the United States
12
FALSE CAPITAL.
consists of notes of one dollar and upwards. These
notes are issued by private banking companies, of
whom there are upwards of seventy in the State of
New York alone, whose notes are at par or a trifling
discount, besides the notes of some broken banks
which circulate at the value their estates are sup-
posed to bear to their debts, that is, from 20 to 90
per cent, discount. Seventeen of these seventy
banks are in the city of New York, and their united
capital is about 18,000,000 of dollars, or 3,700,0002.
sterling, while by the single means of the custom-
house bonds (for the duties are not paid in cash, but
the goods are released on the signature of a bond
payable at three and six months) there has been for
many years a floating, fictitious capital, calculated
at fifteen millions of dollars.
It is not to be expected that such extensive crea-
tion of false capital and consequent speculation in
one class of the community is not followed by a
corresponding system in all other classes, and as the
time has nearly arrived when the high duties must
be reduced, because they will not be wanted for the
purposes of the States, and also to satisfy the cla-
mours of the southern and western states, who have
been greatly oppressed by them, the bonds will then
arrive at maturity without the importer possessing
the means of keeping up his capital by new importa-
tions ; he consequently must contract his business,
and the mercantile community must be in a fearfully
precarious state till the whole of this false capital is
EXTENSIVE CREDIT.
13
redeemed. Nor is it attempted to be denied that
any other than a gradual reduction of the duties will
be followed by extensive ruin and embarrassment,
particularly to all manufacturing concerns which the
high protecting duties alone enable to compete suc-
cessfully with British productions. But the difficulty
will be to bring about this gradual process, many of
the states being thoroughly convinced that they have
been made the dupes of the present system, and
will insist on immediate reduction.
Rents, in what are called good, stands for business ,
are high at New York, and the city rates are by no
means inconsiderable.
Business to any extent is not to be carried on with-
out giving credit, except through the auctioneers,
who require 2 J per cent, for guarantee, and will then
find the cash less the interest on the amount at
6 per cent, for four or six months, according to the
usual credit on the goods, and the expenses of sale.
The law abolishing imprisonment for debt in the
State of New York went into operation on the 1st of
March, 1832, previous to which time it existed to a
greater extent than in England. It is not here
necessary to inquire if such law is founded on good
or bad policy ; it is sufficient to remark that, such
being the law, it becomes the more imperative on
those possessed of property to know well the persons
whom they trust, and, consequently, the transactions
of a stranger, whether he seeks to advance his interest
14
PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF TRADE.
by giving or receiving credit, must be considered
embarrassed by such law.
These observations are offered as data from which
every one must draw the same conclusion — viz,, that
the state of affairs in the United States is some way
off from being healthy, and that there are some diffi-
culties to be encountered which many perhaps have
not thought of before, and which will show that
there exists a great necessity for the exercise of cau-
tion in embarking property either in trade or agri-
culture.
The principal towns of trade in the State of New
York, besides the city of that name, are Hudson, Al-
bany, and Troy, on the banks of the Hudson, which
the Americans usually call the North River ; Utica,
Rochester, and Buffalo, on the banks of the canal
which connects Lake Erie with the Hudson at Albany.
All these towns are advantageously situate for busi-
ness, which is carried on to a considerable extent in
each. Besides these, there are numerous small towns
on the banks of the Hudson and of the Erie canal,
nearly all of a subsequent date to the canal itself, and
which are rising progressively with the increasing
cultivation and population of the country traversed by
the canal, and to the westward of it, the produce of
which countries must reach a seaport either through
this canal and the Hudson to New York, or, through
the Welland canal (in Canada), Lake Ontario, and
the St. Lawrence, to Montreal or Quebec.
EXPENSE OF TRAVELLING.
15
The great elevation of Lake Erie above the Hud-
son at Albany, where the Erie canal terminates, fur-
nishes the means of obtaining abundance of power
along its line for mill-seats.
The navigation of the canal is usually suspended
by the frost four months at least, and of course much
interruption is occasioned to the mills.
The emigrant will find no difficulty in procuring
conveyance from New York to all the principal sea-
ports and towns in the Union, either in sloops and
steam-boats to the nearer, and in ships to the more
distant parts, at very moderate charges, if he drives
a good bargain. Philadelphia is 95 miles, and the
journey is performed partly by water and partly by land
—fare three dollars ; to Boston, 244 miles, by steam-
boat or sloop — fare three to eight dollars ; Hudson,
157 miles, Albany, 160 miles, and Troy, 166 miles,
may be reached by steam-boat, tow-boat, or sloop — -
fare, by the first, two dollars, and by the two last
much less. Sometimes it is the custom to include
the board of the passengers in the fare, and at other
times it is not, which depends upon the opposition
on the different rivers at the time. If the emigrant
wishes to proceed westward, he will find, at Albany,
plenty of canal boats, called line boats , which carry
passengers as well as goods ; they travel at the rate
of three miles an hour, and, by driving a close bar-
gain, will take you for two cents per mile, including
three meals a day. At night beds are provided, and
if the boats are not too much crowded, the journey-
ing by them is very tolerable.
16
UTICA ROCHESTER.
If better accommodation is desired, the coach
must be taken from Albany to Schenectady, 15
miles — fare half a dollar. From thence are passage-
boats, which carry no goods, and are fitted up in very
superior style ; they go at the rate of four miles an
hour, and charge four cents per mile, including
board of an excellent description furnished in abun-
dance.
Utica is 96 miles from Albany.
This is a large trading town on the banks of the
canal, seated in a very fruitful district, but flat, and
unfavourable to health from the exhalations which
arise from the shallow lakes, which are thickly inter-
spersed in this part of the State of New York. Ro-
chester is 250 miles from Albany. This city enjoys
extensive water privileges, as the phrase is, from the
Genesee river, which here falls a considerable height,
and affords power to numerous flour-mills, and other
establishments. By the river it has a communication
with Lake Ontario, and schooners may be found here
for York, Kingston, and the other towns in Upper
Canada. The population of Rochester is about
] 5,000, but it has lately been considered that its
advance has been far too rapid for the soundness of
its prosperity, and the failures have been numerous
and heavy. Between the two last-named places is
Salina, at which are salt-works, but the quality of
the salt is greatly inferior to English salt for most
purposes, and nothing but the high duty on foreign
salt enables these works to flourish, notwithstanding
BUFFALO.
17
the great expense of transport from New York,
which, of course, is a premium in their favour. At
Lockport there is a fall of 40 feet by five locks,
which gives a great power applicable to mill work.
Buffalo is at the entrance of the canal from Lake
Erie, and is a very flourishing town. Here the
schooners which navigate the lake unload the pro-
duce of the southern shores, and parts adjacent, to be
conveyed to New York by the canal, and take in
their return cargoes of goods for the supply of the
country. The trade of the place is very considerable,
and many mechanical operations are carried on.
Whole length of canal, 361 miles.
Steam-boats start from hence for Detroit, and the
route just described is the one to be taken by those
who may land at New York, and decide upon pro-
ceeding to the Huron Tract, or any other part of
Upper Canada.
For the route from New York to Lower Canada,
see route from Montreal to New York, page 46.
Perhaps, if the country which has been noticed,
together with the whole of the State of New York,
was described as the most eligible for English set-
tlers, it might not be far from the truth. The climate
is, for the most part, good, the unhealthy portion
principally occurring on two levels of upwards of
60 miles each, where the canal is conducted through
a succession of marshy lakes between Utica and
Rochester.
It is not, however, intended to say that there are
IB
WESTERN STATES.
not other parts where the emigrant might fix himself
to equal advantage, but this State, on the whole , is
preferable. Next to this, stand the States of Con-
necticut, Massachusets, New Jersey, and Pennsyl-
vania. The inland, or Western States, are so far
removed from a port, and, consequently, a constant
market for produce, the character and habits of the
population more dissimilar from English habits, and
the advantage possessed by the natives in their dex-
terity in clearing land so great, that these States are
presumed not to be eligible for the English agricul-
turist.
The Southern States, from the climate and quality
of the crops raised, present but little encouragement
to the European cultivator.
19
CANADA.
Introductory Remarks.
Before proceeding to give a brief outline of Canada,
something must be said of the situation and extent of
the country bearing that name, — a subject on which
it is much to be regretted most Englishmen are not
at all informed, or, rather, are completely misin-
formed.
In Scotland the true state of the case is better
known, and the advantages presented by fertility of
soil, climate, facility of reaching a never-failing mar-
ket, absence of tithe, taxes, and imposts, except the
merest trifle, and also of political agitation, are duly
appreciated, ample proof of which exists in the flou-
rishing state of the townships in both provinces,
settled by Scotsmen.
Few persons give the consideration they ought to
the circumstances of the extent of the British posses-
sions in North America. From the eastern shore of
Newfoundland to the Western end of Lake Erie, to
which point civilization extends, is little less than
2000 miles. Every mile is verging towards the
south, and it would be quite as absurd to judge of
the climate and soil of Dorsetshire from an account
of the most northerly point of Scotland, as to com-
20
RIVER ST. LAWRENCE.
pare the climate and soil of the eastern part of
Canada with that of the shores of the lakes.
The river St. Lawrence, which constitutes with
the lakes the greatest extent of inland navigation
known, and including Lake Superior, altogether not
much less than the Mediterranean Sea, clothes this
country with a value which centuries will be required
fully to disclose. It discharges itself into the ocean
by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, from which it is navi-
gable, for ships of 400 tons, to Montreal — a dis-
tance of 580 miles. The width at the entrance from
the Gulf is about 80 miles ; and, for 300 miles up,
the width is seldom less than 20. At Quebec it
suddenly contracts, and gives that city its most com-
manding character ; the tide flows about 60 miles
above Quebec, at which place it rises about 18 feet
in ordinary tides.
The St. Lawrence, in its course, receives nume-
rous rivers, which in Europe would be described as
of the first magnitude. Some of them flow through
countries at present little known, but which, at some
future period, may be found to be no less valuable
than the parts now settled. These rivers are all of
them much darker than the waters of the St. Law-
rence, which, from the great lakes to the junction of
the River Ottawa at Montreal, is the clearest in the
world, and of a beautiful green. All these rivers
and lakes abound with valuable fish, of which much
greater profit might be made than is at present
attempted.
LOWER CANADA.
21
The river, from the ocean to the point where the
45th degree of north latitude strikes it at about 65
miles above the island of Montreal, a distance alto-
gether of 640 miles, is exclusively within the British
dominions ; and British subjects alone have the
right of navigating thereon. From that point the
southern shore of the river and the lakes is in the
United States ; and the citizens are equally entitled,
with the British, to the navigation within a line
drawn through the centre of the river and lakes.
The quality of the soil and the growth of timber
on the banks of the rivers are almost invariably in-
ferior to the timber and soil of the interior.
The country, bearing the general name of Canada,
is divided into two provinces — the Upper, and the
Lower — each of which has its own governor, legis-
lature, and laws ; and, in fact, are distinct States,
under the protection of Great Britain.
LOWER CANADA.
Climate — Soil — Money — Government— Laws —
Towns — Envers, fyc.
The province of Lower Canada is the eastern part
of this territory, and was settled to a considerable
extent by the French, whose descendants still com-
prise about three-fourths of the population.
The actual settlement and cultivation (excepting
the district of Gaspe, at the mouth of the St. Law-
22
CLIMATE.
rence, which is devoted almost wholly to the timber
trade and fisheries ; the comparative productiveness
of these trades has kept the people from pursuing
agriculture, although parts of it are described in the
official reports 4 to be susceptible of the most im-
proved agriculture,’ and lime and coal are found)
commences about 80 miles below Quebec. From
thence to the boundary between the two provinces,
65 miles above Montreal, being about 325 miles
along the St. Lawrence from east to west. The ave-
rage width of the settled country on each side along
this line, may be stated at 20 miles, with the excep-
tion of that portion below Quebec, which is not
wholly settled to that extent.
The country within these limits comprehends
nearly all that was known under the name of Canada
at the time of its conquest by the English under
Wolfe, in 1759 ; and the accounts given at that
time of the rigour of the climate of Quebec and the
other French settlements in the Gulf of St. Law-
rence, are too generally received at this day as
applicable to the whole of the country called Canada ;
whereas they are not now correctly applicable even
to the parts which they then described, — it being a
well-known and established fact, that the climate of
America is changing with the clearing of the forests.
Even at New York there are old people now alive
who remember when the River Hudson was frozen
almost every winter, so as to be passable at the city ;
now it seldom freezes hard enough for passage
WINTER AT MONTREAL.
23
across nearer than 60 or 80 miles north. At Quebec
the river now frequently is some years without being
frozen hard enough for passage ; and last winter
the House of Representatives voted 300/. to an engi-
neer to form a bridge across, by stopping the ice,
and have agreed to continue that allowance to him
for the same purpose — a pretty good proof that the
frost is not quite so strong as they could wish ; and
perhaps, for reasons which may be guessed at, from
some observations that follow on the character of
the Canadians, they are not at all pleased with the
change in the climate.
The author passed the winter of 1830-1 at Mon-
treal ; and perhaps a plain statement, with dates of
what occurred, will be the best explanation of the
weather. December 12, arrived at Montreal from
New York. On that day the steam-boat Hercules
arrived from Quebec, and announced that it was the
last trip. The steam-boats which cross the river at
Montreal did not cease to run till the 14th, at which
time some ice had formed at the sides of the river.
Falls of snow, sleet, and rain, occurred till the 31st ;
but the snow did not lay, and carriages on wheels were
still in use. On the 1st of January a heavy fall of
snow came, and the frost set in steadily : the ice
began to accumulate in the river, but it was not till
the 26th that it was passable for sledges. By the
middle of February, the sun had sufficient power to
melt the snow in exposed situations ; and on the 1st
of March a decided thaw commenced. The frost
24
WINTER SEASON.
rallied for a day or two at intervals, and a little snow
fell, but did not lay. On the 26th, the road across
the river entirely broke up. By the 10th of April the
floating ice had disappeared, and none remained ex-
cept at the sides, where it had accumulated in shal-
low water. During the whole of this time the wea-
ther did not keep any persons within doors, except
the very old, invalids, and infants ; on the contrary,
hundreds, who never get into a carriage at any other
season, are constantly driving about in their car-
rioles, which are nearly all open ; in fact, the winter
is the season of gaiety, not only in the towns, but in
the country; and at Montreal and Quebec, the
months of January, February, and March are de-
voted to pleasure : riding out in the mornings, and
balls, routs, and parties in the evenings, is the rou-
tine through the winter. Three ships, as many
steam-boats, and smaller craft, were building, and
the work proceeded all the cold weather. As soon
as the ice on the river is passable, the town assumes
a busy aspect, from the numbers of farmers from the
upper province, and also Americans, who bring
heavy loads of wheat, pork, ashes, fish, &c. ; and few
of the Americans leave the town without taking
back some goods on which there are high duties in
the United States, and which they can easily smuggle
in at this time, as the snow and ice enable them
to travel in all directions without the aid of bridges
and almost without roads. The construction of the
houses, with extra outer doors and windows, which
WINTER SEASON.
25
are removed in the spring, and the mode of warming
them by stoves in the centre of the room, or in a
doorway between two rooms, so effectually exclude
the cold, and retain the heat, that an Englishman is
much more likely to complain of inconvenience from
the latter rather than the former cause, in a genuine
Canadian house. The halls and staircases of the
better houses are decorated with stages of gera-
niums, myrtles, and other plants in full luxuriance ;
and the windows of the smaller houses exhibit simi-
lar proofs, that whatever may be the state of the
atmosphere outside, that within is not destructive of
vegetable life. On the 12th of April the steam-
boats commenced running to the opposite shore ;
and, on the 16th, two started for Quebec, though
the ice stopped them about 20 miles from Quebec,
and one, by imprudently venturing among the ice,
was sunk, but without loss of life. It was not till
the 21st, that the other reached Quebec, after the
final clearing of the river from ice.
This statement of the actual occurrences at Mon-
treal may go some way to prove that a winter even
in Lower Canada is not so dreadful an affair as is
generally supposed. The degree of cold is no
doubt severe, especially at night ; but the almost
total absence of damp and fogs, together with the
presence of an unclouded sun for six or seven hours
nearly every day, occasion those who are in good
health to consider the cold as a trifle ; while those
in ill health, by the construction of the houses, and
c
26
SUMMER IN CANADA.
abundance of fuel, may escape its severity by keep-
ing within doors.
Nor must it be forgotten that this severity of cold
is productive of its advantages. By the consolida-
tion of the snow, the worst roads are converted into
the best for the transport of heavy goods, with great
ease to the cattle, while the lighter carriages spin
along with a rapidity perfectly unattainable at other
times. Indeed, a mild winter is regarded by the
Canadians as a great calamity, especially by those
situate at a distance from the navigable waters ; who
at this season convey their produce to market, and
bring back their supplies of heavy goods, as potash
kettles, liquors, &c., with the most trifling labour,
compared with what would be required without the
snow. The winter is also the time when timber is
felled, and drawn on the snow to the banks of the
rivers, to be floated down to Quebec in the spring.
If the winters of Lower Canada are of a decided
character, so also are the summers. Scarcely has the
snow disappeared before the meadows are covered
with verdure, and in two or three weeks will exhibit
a luxuriance which as many months are required to
produce here. The apple-trees are speedily in blos-
som, and summer reigns in full vigour in less than a
month after the snow has entirely left the ground.
The markets of Montreal are supplied with the
early fruits and vegetables, produced naturally, as
soon, or sooner than the London markets are. The
ground is, generally, fit for ploughing in the early
TEMPERATURE OF MONTREAL.
27
part of May, and in a month after the seed is sown
the plant is waving in the breeze. Wheat is fit to
cut in four, and the lighter grain in three, months.
Heavy thunder-showers occur in the summer months,
with a day’s rain or so ; but beyond this, the weather
is not much disturbed. Towards the latter end of
September the evenings begin to grow cool after the
sun is down, but the days are frequently hot, and
always pleasant. November, and the early part of
December, is the most unpleasant time of the year,
from the frequent occurrence of rain, sleet, and
snow.
The temperature of Montreal may be considered
as comprehending the climate of Lower Canada,
only as far east as Three Rivers. Below that it is
more severe, and a slight degree of frost sometimes
occurs in the summer months.
All the vegetables and fruits which are cultivated
in England will thrive in Canada, and many of them
might be brought to much higher perfection : for
instance, the markets of Montreal are supplied plen-
tifully with delicious melons, produced without arti-
ficial heat ; and there can be no doubt other fruits
might be grown equally fine if properly attended to ;
but the Canadians are bad farmers and gardeners,
adhering to old methods and customs with the
greatest pertinacity.
The general character of the soil of Lower Canada
is clayey, without stones, except some large round
c 2
28 QUEBEC THE ST. LAWRENCE,
masses of granite, most frequent near the banks of
rivers.
The eastern, or Quebec division, is inferior to the
Montreal, or western division. The former is inter-
spersed with tracts of sandy or gravelly soil, covered
only with a slight surface of vegetable earth. In the
latter the prevalent character is a bluish marl with a
black mould, forming a very fertile soil. Towards
the mountains it is more light and loamy, is more
easily cleared, and is, at first, very productive.
Besides the tract already described as settled along
the St. Lawrence, there are settlements along the
line which divides Canada from the States of New
Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, which are
called townships.
The land in these townships is described as of
excellent quality generally, and greatly exceeding in
worth that portion of the United States on which they
border, insomuch as to have induced great numbers
of Americans to settle there ; much to the offence of
the French Canadians, who have a great antipathy
to them. Large quantities of pot and pearl ashes
are made, thus proving the good quality of the soil,
as they are made only from hard woods, which never
grow in sufficient quantities for this purpose in any
but good soil.
The river St. Francis, with the lake Memphre-
magog, runs through a considerable part of this
division, and falls into the St. Lawrence between
THE OTTAWA.
29
Three Rivers and Sorel. At present the navigation
is interrupted with rapids (sloping descents, generally
incumbered with large stones), but it is said to be
capable of being made navigable at an easy expense.
Surveys and estimates have been made, and there is
no doubt that in a short time this line of water com-
munication from those townships to the St. Lawrence
will be made available for all the purposes of com-
merce.
There is also a range of townships on the north
shore of the Ottawa river, which is navigable for a
very considerable way up.
The land for some distance from the river is good
for tillage or pasturage, but gets stony towards the
mountains. These townships are of more recent
date than those before described, but considerable
numbers of settlers have, within the last few years,
proceeded to them.
The sides of the River Ottawa present many fine
seats for mills, with power to almost any extent,
and the facility of receiving grain from the upper
county by the Rideau canal, which enters the Ottawa
at By Town, and conveying the flour to Montreal,
will not be lost sight of as trade and settlement
increase*.
* The population of the townships in the lower province have
increased so rapidly, that they are entitled to return four more
members to the Legislative Assembly than they were in 1830,
and the Governor has been required to issue his writs accord-
ingly.
30
ARRIVAL AT QUEBEC.
The timber up the Ottawa is considered valuable,
and extensive operations in lumbering (the term for
the timber trade) are carried on in its neighbourhood.
A very large tract of country, extending from the
mountains behind the townships last mentioned, on
the Ottawa, to the river Saguenai, which enters the
St. Lawrence on the north side, about 120 miles east
of Quebec, has been explored, and a grant has been
made for making a road through it, which has
already commenced. This tract is described as
abounding in the requisites for a settlement. The
soil is good, and the climate of a much milder tern-
perature than its geographical position would seem
to indicate. The river Saguenai, which flows
through this country, and terminates in a lake of
some size (St. John), is navigable a great way from
its mouth for ships, and for small craft through its
whole extent. Should the accounts given of this sec-
tion be correct, it will prove a very valuable addition
to the colony, by opening upwards of six millions of
land capable of cultivation, and in the most favour-
able position for exporting the produce at an easy
expense.
ARRIVAL AT QUEBEC.
On arriving at Quebec the emigrant, if a labourer,
and not provided with the means of going farther,
had better go at once to the office of the govern-
ment agent, who will inform him what public works
EMIGRANTS CANADA COMPANY.
31
are going on, and the rates of wages paid. He will
also, by inquiry, find what private works are in pro-
gress, and the demand for labourers at the coves,
wharfs, granaries, saw-mills, &c. &c. The influx of
emigrants is so great during the summer months,
that if the expense of reaching Montreal (a dollar, or
a dollar and a half) is within the reach of the
labourer, he had best make his way there if he does
not find immediate employment at Quebec.
The agricultural emigrant of small means should
go immediately to the office of his Majesty’s agent in
St. Peter’ s-street, and get all the information he can
(see copy of notice in Appendix, No. I), and be guided
by circumstances. He will also find many private in-
dividuals who hold land, and are anxious to sell it, or
obtain settlers to go upon it. It is almost needless
to observe that some caution is necessary in engaging
either to purchase or to settle on such lands, as the
laws differ considerably from our own; and although
they may even be as good, yet, for want of knowing
and understanding them, an error may be committed
in a contract, which would be unpleasant if not in-
jurious. The Canada Company have an agent at
Quebec, but they have no land in the lower province.
He will, however, give the fullest information as to
the best mode of proceeding to the upper province,
and show plans of the land and the townships in
which they are situate. It may, perhaps, be as well
in this place to remark, that the Company sell their
land at a higher price than Government, or private
32
HINTS TO EMIGRANTS.
holders ; but as some set off against the advanced
price, the settler has the advantage of main roads
made at their expense. They also erect saw and
grist mills, and establish stores or shops at which
the settler can supply himself with all the necessaries
of life till he can get his land under cultivation.
Under the name of townships are included all
lands granted since the conquest, and on which the
settlers are chiefly from Great Britain, or the United
States. To these portions of the Lower Province
the attention of the emigrant must principally be di-
rected, if he intends to invest capital. The com-
plexity of the laws relating to landed and real estate,
together with the absence of register, everywhere
except in the townships, render it difficult to secure
an undeniable title in the old parts of the Lower
Province, and none but persons of known respecta-
bility should be treated with, unless through the
medium of a public notary.
Here it must be remarked, that in all parts of
America the attention must be directed to the situa-
tion of the land rather than its quality ; and it is the
more necessary to impress this upon emigrants, be-
cause it is the reverse of the general practice here,
where markets, and facilities of reaching them, are so
universally distributed, that the quality of the land is
almost everything, and the situation comparatively
nothing. Not so in America. Good land, remote
from water-carriage, is scarce worth cultivating, as
roads capable of bearing heavy loads do not, nor
QUEBEC.
33
cannot be supposed to exist to any extent compa-
rable even to the worst-supplied parts of England ;
and the only time at which produce and heavy loads
can be conveyed to or from remote lands is in win-
ter and on the snow. Hence arises the greatest
necessity for all who go to any part of America to
settle, to study well the maps of that part, and
become acquainted with the rivers and canals, and
which rivers are navigable, and which are not.
Upon the degree of intelligence exercised on this
point rests much of the future prosperity of the
settler ; while the chance of his settling himself
permanently upon bad land is but small.— -See Ap-
pendix, No. 2.
QUEBEC.
The city of Quebec is situated on a promontory
which stretches out from the land on the north side
of the St. Lawrence, into a spacious basin, formed
by the junction of the River St. Charles with the St.
Lawrence. The extremity, or point, is called Cape
Diamond, which is 350 feet above the river, and
terminates abruptly within a very short distance of
it. The Upper Town is built on this point within
the walls of the fortifications, which are about two
miles and three-quarters in circuit, including the
citadel
Here are the governor’s house, the barracks of
the troops (two or three regiments), the principal
market, churches, and other public buildings. The
c 5
34
QUEBEC.
houses are of stone ; but, except those erected within
the last few years, are generally of very rough exte-
rior aspect, though sufficiently comfortable within
side.
Lately a quarry of fine blue granite has been worked
at Montreal, of which the works of the citadel, the
Exchange, a church, and most of the houses erected
within the last few years, are constructed. The
pavements of the principal streets are also under-
going repair with the same stone ; and this portion
of Quebec is assuming a new aspect.
The greatest portion of the retail business is con-
ducted here, and a few of the shops are not defi-
cient in outward attractions ; but generally the stock
and variety found inside will greatly exceed the ex-
pectations raised by the outside appearance ; and
this observation will apply to many other matters
besides shops and warehouses, which improve upon
better acquaintance.
Most of the English merchants and their families
reside in the Upper Town, and here are numerous
boarding-houses, where accommodation is to be ob-
tained at various rates, from three to six dollars per
week. The hotels, taverns ( there are no public-houses
in America ), and confectioners, receive boarders at a
stated price per day, week, or month. The last-
named differ very much from the English confec-
tioners, as, in addition to the usual routine of pastry,
&c., they deal in wine, spirits, and ale, and combine
something like the trade of our coffee and chop-
houses with their own.
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
35
The Lower Town is situate along the river St
Lawrence, from the foot of the precipice on which
the Upper Town is built, to the water. Here are
the banks of Quebec, and a branch bank of Mon-
treal, the Custom-house, the Exchange, in which is
a news-room, furnished with the English, Canada,
and American papers ; the Trinity House, the
market for fish, and the live and dead stock which
come from the south shore of the river, with which
there is a constant communication maintained by
two steam-boats, and several other boats whose ma-
chinery is worked by horses.
The warehouses, granaries, and all establishments
connected with shipping and wholesale trade, are
here. Also, hotels and taverns for the accommoda-
tion of the captains and mates, with numerous lodg-
ing and boarding houses for sailors and others,
whose business or means do not allow of their resi-
dence in the Upper Town.
The wharfage is very extensive and convenient,
occupying a continued line of near two miles, and,
during six or seven months, presents a busy scene.
In that space last year, upwards of 1000 ships and
vessels, of from 150 to 600 tons, arrived with goods
and emigrants, and took their departure with the
produce of the country.
The steam-boats which run to Montreal are fine
large boats ; the two last built, viz., the British-
America and the John Bull, are not excelled by any
in the world for their elegance or power. Two of
36
TIMBER TRADE.
them arrive and take their departure every day ; and
the large ones have one or two barges, of 200 tons,
for goods only, which they take in tow ; and this
constant traffic gives great animation to the wharfs
from which they start.
The suburbs of St. Louis, St. John, and St. Roche,
are chiefly inhabited by Canadians and the labour-
ing population. Here are the manufacturing trades,
as ship and boat building, steam saw-mills, coopers,
leather-dressers, iron and brass-founders, smiths,
tinmen, &c. &c. Rents are low here ; and the
suburb of St. Roche, from its frontage to the river
St. Charles, is favourably circumstanced for many
trades.
The timber trade of Quebec is chiefly conducted
at the Coves, which are a succession of shallow bays,
formed by the river above the town, in which the
timber floated to them in immense rafts, is secured
by booms placed across the mouth of the bays.
The ships come up opposite the Coves, where they
lie in the stream : here they take in their loading,
which is floated to them in the quantities and of the
qualities desired.
Ship-building is carried on to a large extent in
these Coves, as also stave-cutting. Some hundreds
of persons are employed in these various operations,
the supplying of whom and their families with the
necessaries of life gives employment to numbers
more.
There are three very extensive sawing establish-
SAW-MILLS STEAM-BOATS.
37
merits in the neighbourhood of Quebec. Those at
Montmorency are worked by the fall of the river of
the same name, about six miles below the town.
Those of New Liverpool, opposite the Coves, are
worked by steam power ; and those at St. Nicholas,
about eight miles above the last, which are worked
by a fall from the river Chaudiere. Each of these
works employs numerous engineers and other work-
men and labourers. Besides these, there are many
smaller saw-mills and timber establishments on both
sides of the river, and also slips for the building and
repairing schooners and small craft for the naviga-
tion of the river and gulf.
A steam-boat runs from Quebec to St. Nicholas,
which is the most convenient point for communica-
tion with the townships by Craig’s Road.
A company was established in 1830, for forming
a line of communication by steam-boats, between
Quebec and Halifax in Nova Scotia, which passage
it was calculated could be made in six days, though
it takes from fifteen to thirty by the ordinary mode
of sailing. A beautiful boat was built and launched
on the 27th of April, 1831 ; but great delay occurred
in fitting her engines, and, after they were fixed, fur-
ther misfortunes attended her, and she was able to
make but one trip last year ; but in that she encoun-
tered a heavy gale, which she rode out well, and gave
every reason to expect that the purpose for which
she was built will be fully accomplished. At Que-
38
PASSAGE TO MONTREAL.
bee, the success of this affair is considered as fraught
with great advantage to trade.
The population of Quebec, including the suburbs,
is not much under 30,000, which is exceeded in the
summer. The roads in its vicinity are kept in good
order, and are enlivened by numbers of the country-
houses of the principal people.
The character of the scenery is mountainous, but
the parts under cultivation are highly productive, and
the heights are crowned with forests of every shade.
Perhaps the views from the flag-tower of the citadel,
and from the Plains of Abraham, in the summer
months, are equalled by few, and exceeded by none,
of the most famed views in Europe for grandeur and
magnificence of natural beauties ; while the shipping
in the noble river beneath, and the unceasing song
by which the men regulate their labours in loading
the timber-ships, rendered most touchingly harmo-
nious by the distance and the gentle breeze which is
almost constantly playing on these heights, produce,
altogether, an effect that words can scarcely de-
scribe.
PASSAGE TO MONTREAL.
The steam-boats for Montreal do not always start at
the same hour, on account of the tide, which it is
desirable to carry as far as possible in their upward
course ; the first stop is made at Three Rivers, 90
THREE RIVERS.
39
miles from Quebec, which is the third town in the
province, and is situated at the junction of the river
St. Maurice with the St. Lawrence on the north
side.
THREE RIVERS.
Although very small in comparison with the cities
of Montreal and Quebec, it is, nevertheless, a place
of some considerable trade. The neighbouring-
country on each side of the river receives its supply
of goods from hence, and returns its produce for
transmission to Quebec. Here is a trade of some
extent with the Indians in furs. The iron mines
and foundry of St. Maurice are on the banks of the
river of that name, about nine miles from Three
Rivers ; and those of Batiscan, on the river Batis-
can, are also in this neighbourhood. Several hun-
dreds of persons are employed in these mines and
works, and in preparing the charcoal for their use.
Large quantities of excellent timber are procured
up the St. Maurice and the other rivers in this part ;
and as the depth of water at the town is sufficient
for large ships, it offers a desirable spot for ship-
building establishments. At present, few except
small craft are constructed here ; but the advantages
of its situation will not be long neglected.
40
BERTHIER.
The next stop made is at Berthier, on the same side
of the river, about 40 miles from Three Rivers. It
is a town fast rising in importance. The district
in which it is seated is particularly fertile ; and
large quantities of grain are here collected for ex-
portation. The river is not so deep as at Three
Rivers, but many small islands are interspersed in it,
and render this a most delightful spot.
SOREL, OR WILLIAM-HENRY.
Nearly opposite Berthier, and on the southern shore,
is the town of Sorel, or William-Henry ; the latter of
which names it acquired in consequence of its having
been the residence of our present patriotic sovereign
when on service in the colony. It is seated on the
river Richelieu, at its entrance into the St. Law-
rence, and is a most advantageous situation for
trade.
The river Richelieu connects Lake Champlain
with the St. Lawrence. At present it is not navi-
gable through the whole of its course for schooners,
being interrupted by rapids ; but a large grant has
been made by the Legislature, to remove these diffi-
culties, by locking, &c. ; and the work has already
made considerable progress. When complete, this
navigation will not only be of great benefit to that
part of the province through which it runs, but will
SOREL, OR WILLIAM-HENRY.
41
offer to the States of New York, and Vermont, bor-
dering on Lake Champlain, and the rivers falling
into it, the readiest and cheapest road to a market
for their produce, which can be shipped at Sorel for
England or elsewhere ; and the above-named States
may receive their supply of heavy goods by the same
route at a much cheaper rate than they can from the
port of New York, and with greater facility, as two
transhipments will be saved which at present occur
at each end of the canal between Lake Champlain
and Albany. The Richelieu, for nine miles above
the town, is of sufficient depth for vessels of very
large burden, and is, therefore, adapted for ship-
building establishments ; and, altogether, the advan-
tages possessed by its situation cannot fail of making
this a town of great trade and importance.
The navigation here alluded to will be called the
Chambly Canal.
From hence to Montreal, no call is made. The
banks of the river from Quebec to Three Rivers are
high and magnificently picturesque. It then widens,
and is called Lake St. Peter, the upper end of which
is studded with islands of luxuriant verdure. The
shores from the lake to Montreal are lower, but still
high at intervals. Both sides from Quebec to Mon-
treal are enlivened by villages, whose churches are
never long absent from the view, and, by the glitter-
ing of their bright tin-covered spires, constitute a
singular and pleasing feature in the landscape.
The price charged for a cabin passage upwards is
42
MONTREAL.
five dollars, including sumptuous board ; down-
wards, the passage is a dollar less, because it is
made in less time. The deck-passage is one dollar
and a half, not including board. An opposition
steam-boat takes cabin-passengers at a dollar less
each way, but charges the same for deck passengers.
Short distances are charged in proportion. No acci-
dent with loss of life or limb has occurred in any of
the steam-boats navigating the St. Lawrence, al-
though a summer never passes without scores being
sent to their account by accidents in the boats of the
United States, which can only be accounted for on
the supposition of slightness in the make of their
machinery, or incompetence in their engineers.
MONTREAL.
Montreal, 180 miles above, or to the west of Que-
bec, is situate on the south side of an island of the
same name, thirty-two miles long, and ten broad ;
which, with several smaller ones, lies in a sort of
lake formed by the confluence of the river Ottawa
with the St. Lawrence. The ground on which the
town is built is much more favourable for the site of
a handsome city than Quebec, which, from the great
inequality of surface, excludes uniformity to any ex-
tent.
The two principal streets of business, Notre
Dame and St. Paul, run the whole length of the
city ; the former, with the suburb adjoining it, forms
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
43
a continued street near three miles long, and the
latter, more than one. The houses in the city are
of brick or stone, but principally of the latter, and
the streets are paved.
The town contains numerous churches, chapels,
and public buildings, many of which would be orna-
mental to any town in Europe ; among them is the
French Church in the Place des Armes, which was
built by subscription, and is the largest edifice in
North America, being capable of seating 10,000
persons. It is built in the plain Gothic style, of
a bluish granite, which is found in abundance in the
mountain close to the town, and is altogether a struc-
ture that any city in the world might be proud of.
The seminaries of Montreal demand particular no-
tice. That of St. Sulpice, adjoining the cathedral, is
an extensive building, and the students are instructed
in all the branches of knowledge, including the higher
branches of mathematics and philosophy. The
French college at the western extremity of the town
is well furnished with professors in all the branches
of learning, and has from 200 to 300 students, who,
as well as the students at the seminary, are chiefly
the Canadian youth. The want of an institution for
the liberal education of British youth was not sup-
plied till 1814, when a merchant named Me Gill be-
queathed 10,000/. to endow a college to bear his
name, which has since been incorporated by royal
charter, and the course of education in it is assimi-
lated to that of the collegiate schools in Great
44
COMMERCE MARKETS.
Britain. There are also here and at Quebec societies
of natural history, mechanics’ institutes, agricultural,
literary, &c.
The roofs of nearly all the houses and all the
churches and spires are covered with tin, which con-
tinues bright for twenty or more years. The houses
in the suburbs are smaller, and chiefly constructed
of wood, although even here stone is beginning to
take its place. The causeways are only partially
paved, but every day is adding to the improvement
of the town in this respect.
Montreal in the year 1829 did not possess an
erection worthy to be called a wharf. In that year
large grants were made by the legislature to remove
this stigma on the second city in rank, but first in
point of business in the provinces. 1830 and 31
did much towards completing a line of commodious
landings for goods and passengers, which are in suf-
ficient forwardness for use ; but some years must
elapse before Montreal is furnished with the wharf-
age its large and important trade requires.
The markets are abundantly supplied with meat,
poultry, vegetables, &c., the produce of the island
and the opposite shore, to which three steam-boats,
and also horse-boats, are constantly plying. Fish is
not supplied in the quantities it might be, which is,
perhaps, to be attributed to abundance and low price
of meat and poultry.
This is undoubtedly the principle seat of business
in the provinces of Canada. The merchants have
MANUFACTURES POPULATION.
45
extensive stores or warehouses from which all the
Upper Province is supplied, and also the western
part of the lower. The produce of the East and
West Indies, wines, brandies, &c., are here stored, to
be distributed over the same district; and the pro-
duce of the upper country, and also a considerable
share of the produce of the United States bordering
on the River St. Lawrence and the large lakes, is
here collected for exportation to Europe.
In the town and neighbourhood tanning, hatting,
leather-dressing, soap and candle making, and ship-
building are carried on to a large extent. There are
likewise breweries, distilleries, founderies, furriers,
nailmakers, &c. &c., great quantities of pork and
beef are brought in from the United States, and
here salted for exportation. The timber trade is not
carried on to any extent here, as the rafts can easily
float down to Quebec.
The population of Montreal rather exceeds that
of Quebec, and at both are large hospitals for the
sick and indigent, with various other charitable esta-
blishments. In the winter of 1830-1, the ladies of
Montreal raised by the sale of fancy work upwards
of 700/., which together with a considerable sum
raised by the amateur performers at the theatre (a
very neat and elegant little structure) was handed
over to the different charitable institutions of the
town.
The summer route from hence to the city of New
46
ROUTE TO NEW-YORK.
York is very pleasant, and the distance, 420 miles,
traversed with great ease in two days and nights.
Thus, from Montreal the river is crossed in a steam-
boat to La Prairie, thence to St. J ohn’s, eighteen miles
by coach, where the steam-boat is taken to White-
hall, at the southern extremity of Lake Champlain.
From thence to Albany, seventy-five miles, there are
two routes, by canal or coach, — the latter is the most
expeditious. From Albany the steam-boat is taken
to New York. The whole journey maybe performed
handsomely for fourteen dollars, including board all
the way, and those who cannot afford so much may
do it for half the price. During the winter there is
a constant communication kept up by land, but the
time occupied, and the expense, greatly exceeds that
of the summer route.
The River St. Lawrence, at the south-west side of
the island of Montreal, is broken by the first rapid
that offers any interruption to the navigation of
steam-boats, and small craft of about six tons have
great difficulty in ascending the stream. To over-
come this interruption, a canal has been cut across
a point of the island to La Chine, nine miles, where
the river is again navigable for steam-boats to the
foot of the Cascade Rapids. To Coteau du Lac
from thence is sixteen miles, and travellers proceed
by coach. Boats are dragged and propelled up the
rapids with great labour. At Coteau du Lac is
smooth water again to Cornwall, forty-two miles.
RIDEAU CANAL.
47
which part is navigated by a steam-boat. From
thence to Prescot, sixty miles, the river is broken by
a succession of rapids with only small intervals of
smooth water (sufficient, however, to allow of safe
passage across). This part of the journey, is per
formed by coach, the boats being three or more days
getting up. At Prescot all difficulties cease for
350 miles, when the falls of Niagara present their
formidable front. But even those now cease to bar
the free communication between the large lakes.
RIDEAU CANAL.
To surmount the obstacles presented by the above-
named rapids to free, cheap, and commodious inter
course with Upper Canada, a most magnificent
canal was projected, and by the well-placed liberality
of England, is nearly brought to completion*. In
addition to its inestimable value for the cheap and
easy transport of goods, it secures a communication
between the provinces for the conveyance of troops
and munitions of war, not liable to interruption
* On the 22d of May, 1832, that portion of the canal between
Kingston and Lake Rideau, was opened, when Colonel By, the
chief engineer, in a steam-boat, attended by the schooner at-
tached to the naval establishment at Kingston, passed through
the locks, and spreading their sails to the breeze, sped their
course through a tract hitherto unvisited by any bark except the
canoe of the Indian or solitary settler, but destined to be the
chief channel of communication between the almost boundless
and fruitful countries in the interior of North-west America
and Europe, and in future times, perhaps, no small part of the
productions of China and the eastern shores of Asia may pass
this way to England.
48
IMPROVED NAVIGATION.
from the United States, should we, at any future
time, be placed in a hostile position to them.
The River Ottawa is navigable for steam-boats
and schooners from La Chine, nine miles from
Montreal, to By Town, * which is about 130 miles
from Montreal. It is on the south side of the Ottawa,
near the entrance of the Rideau river into river
Ottawa. Here the canal commences and runs in a
south and south-west direction to Kingston on
Lake Ontario. The locks throughout are calculated
to admit the schooners that navigate the lakes,
which will be towed through by steam-boats.
When this canal is in full operation, its effects in
reducing to a comparative trifle the cost of trans-
port to the upper country will be felt in every article
of bulk or weight ; while the risk attending the
conveyance of produce down the rapids, at present
encumbered with an insurance of 1 \ to 2 per cent.,
will be avoided, and the advance of the Upper Pro-
vince must be greatly accelerated thereby.
GOVERNMENT, LAWS, AND REVENUES OF
LOWER CANADA.
The King of England is sovereign of Canada, under
the limitations of the laws of Great Britain, and by
the capitulations entered into when the province
* With the exception of some rapids which occur near the
township of Grenville, and to avoid which a short canal has
been cut, called the Grenville Canal.
LAWS.
49
passed into the hands of the English. The legisla-
tive authority resides in the King, who acts by his
governor, and the two Houses of Parliament, who
alone have power of levying taxes on the province.
The Upper House, or Legislative Council, are
nominated for life, by the King, out of the class of
persons ofthe most wealth, talent, and importance,
whether native or European.
The Lower House, or House of Representatives,
are chosen by the freeholders of 40s. and upwards,
for the counties ; and 5 1. freeholders or 10 1. house-
holders in the cities and towns. They are elected
every four years at least, and must be called together
every twelve months, and are empowered to make
laws for the 4 peace, welfare, and good government
of the province/ No disabilities or disqualifications
exist on account of any religious opinions. The
lands held by Roman Catholics pay a twenty-sixth
part of the grain raised, towards the support of their
curate, and are subject to assessments for the build-
ing and repairing of churches and parsonages.
Protestants are not subject to any rate or charge for
the support of church or clergy. At the conquest,
the estates of the Jesuits were confiscated to the use
of, and promotion of, education ; and the fund thus
created is annually augmented by grants from the
Legislature.
The laws of Lower Canada are a mixture of the
Acts of the British Parliament, which extend to the
D
50
TAXES.
Colonies, and the laws of France, as they existed at
the conquest in 1759. The criminal law is the same
as in England ; and is administered in the same
way as here, by judges, justices, &c. &c.
There is no direct tax in Lower Canada, except
half a dollar annually on the male population for the
repair of the roads. A duty of 2\ per cent, is paid
on all imports from England ; and goods from any
other part of the world pay the same duties they
would be liable to pay in England, except colonial
produce, wines and spirits, which pay only a trifling
comparative amount.
A part of the duties is apportioned to the Upper
Province. The share of the Lower Province is
sufficient for all the expenses of government, making
of new roads and bridges, canals, and other public
works, grants for the erection and support of schools,
aid to hospitals, &c. &c.
MONEY AND BANKS.
The dollar, with its divisions, is the principal circu-
lating coin of Lower Canada, and is called five shil-
lings. English gold coins pass freely, but their
value is fluctuating. French or English crowns
pass for 5s. 6d., and an English shilling for Is. 2d.
As to the copper coin in circulation, it is composed
of all sorts and descriptions — old halfpence, pocket-
pieces, cents, and, in fact, anything which will count
MONEY AND BANKS.
51
one, and is made of metal. Accounts are kept in
pounds, shillings, and pence, Halifax currency, of
four dollars to the pound.
It may here be observed, that if cash is taken, it
is better to buy Spanish dollars in England, than
take gold either to Canada or the United States*.
There are but two banks in Lower Canada — at
Montreal and Quebec ; they issue notes of one dol-
lar and upwards. These banks are certainly not
adequate to the wants of the extended and extending
commercial transactions of the province ; but great
fear exists among the Canadians, lest the multipli-
cation of banks and a paper circulation should en-
tirely beat the Spanish dollar (of which they are
very fond) out of the market, as it has done in the
United States : but, unfortunately, they do not see
that there is an evil in too few, as well as too many
facilities to trade and enterprise ; and there can be
no doubt that two banks for Lower Canada falls
nearly as short of the legitimate calls of the mercan-
tile affairs of the province, as seventy banks exceed
those of the State of New York.
The population of Lower Canada is chiefly com-
posed of the descendants of the French settlers in
it at its conquest ; but their proportion to the whole
* Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith, of Mansion-House-
street, London, will receive sums of 20/. and upwards, and give
an order on the Bank at Montreal, by which the risk of taking
specie may be avoided, and some small profit arising from the
rate of exchange is also secured.
D 2
52
POPULATION.
is gradually diminishing. Ten years ago they were
computed at seven-eighths ; now they scarcely ex-
ceed six-eighths. They are almost exclusively con-
fined to the old parts, and are much attached to
their country. The great mass of them are agricul-
turists ; and perhaps there is not on the face of the
globe a happier people, or more contented. In-
deed, this last feature in their character is productive
of consequences which in time, it is to be feared, will
sadly interfere with their happiness. While the
Europeans, by whom the townships are settling,
avail themselves of all the light thrown upon the
science of agriculture by modern discoveries, the
Canadian jogs on in the way practised for one or
two centuries, even in some cases against his better
judgment.
They are polite and obliging to all who treat them
with respect, and particularly the English, whom they
prefer to the Irish or Scotch ; but the Americans are
not at all in favour with them. The French lan-
guage is the most prevalent among them, although
in the large towns most of the shop-keepers under-
stand English.
53
UPPER CANADA.
Boil — Climate — Towns — Rivers — Canals , 8fe „
That part of the province of Upper Canada which
is already surveyed and laid out, is the country lying
on the north side of the river St. Lawrence, com-
mencing about 65 miles above Montreal, and run-
ning along the north side of the lakes Ontario and
Erie, for about 570 miles, with an average depth
of 60 miles.
All competent judges, both English, Canadian,
and American, who have given an opinion of the
character of this large tract, concur in declaring that
it will suffer nothing by a comparison with any tract
of equal extent on the continent of America.
The province is divided into eleven districts, and
these are again divided into twenty-seven counties,
which are sub-divided into 291 townships, averaging
60,000 acres each; being, all together, about thirteen
millions of acres. But this is not by any means all
the land capable of cultivation ; a great extent of
country between lake Huron and the Ottawa river is
still unsurveyed.
The country to Kingston presents a surface not
far from level ; it is, however, elevated considerably
above the St. Lawrence, and throughout its extent
is interspersed with small lakes and rivers, which
fail either into the St. Lawrence or the Ottawa, and
54
SOIL- — CLIMATE.
are most of them capable of being made navigable
for boats.
From Kingston, the face of the country is more
diversified with gentle hills, but none of any magni-
tude occur till the western end of Lake Ontario is
reached, where a chain of hills commences at Bur-
lington Bay, and, with the Queenston heights, tra-
verse the borders of the River Niagara to Lake Erie.
Along Lake Erie, no rise of any consequence oc-
curs. Lake Simcoe is elevated considerably above
Lake Ontario, but it is very gradual, and the country
around it considered excellent.
The climate of this extended tract differs, as we
well know it does, in a space not half as large, east
and west, viz., between Suffolk and Cornwall, and as
great a space north and south, viz., between York-
shire and Dorsetshire, but not to the same extent.
The seasons are much more marked than ours.
The summers are very warm, but seldom sultry,
probably for the same reasons that the winters,
though colder than ours, are not so much felt, be-
cause the air is so much drier than it is in England,
or, indeed, anywhere near the sea.
The frost generally sets in about the beginning of
the year, and continues, without much intermission,
for eight or ten weeks ; it then breaks, and, in two
or three more, the winter has completely passed
away, and is followed by warm rains, which give
place to fine settled weather till after harvest in
August, when some rain comes generally for two or
CLIMATE.
55
three days together, and it is cool. In October
fine warm weather succeeds, which lasts about a
month, and is called the Indian summer. Then
follow rain and snow till the frost sets in.
The large lakes are not frozen except near the
sides, and the snow and ice give the same facilities
for inland traffic as in Lower Canada ; which is of
the utmost value, where roads, capable of sustaining
heavy loads, cannot be supposed yet to exist, and
would be hailed as a blessing by many parts of the
United States, where the snow does not lie, and the
expense of reaching a navigable river over their
roads is so great, that their produce is scarcely
worth anything.
The general salubrity of Upper Canada is not
questioned. There are no swamps of any consider-
able size ; and if the workmen on the Rideau Canal
were attacked by fever and ague, it is too much to
attribute such attacks to the climate, when, perhaps,
it was chiefly induced by their intemperate habits —
great numbers of them being the lower class of Irish,
who find spirituous liquors so abundant and cheap,
that they know not where to fix bounds to their in-
dulgence ; and it must also be allowed that their
occupation was such, that, without care, they wrere
scarce likely to escape such a visitation.
On the borders of the lakes there are numerous
bays or inlets, which, at some future time, will be
the most valuable portions of the province ; but,
till they are in some degree banked and cleared.
56
CLIMATE.
offer some little lodgment for the water, which is
not conducive to the health of those residing near
such spots : but these are comparatively of small
extent, nearly the whole of the shores of the River
and Lake Ontario on the Canada side being gene-
rally very considerably elevated above the water;
and it may be asked if England is considered un-
healthy, because the people in the Lincolnshire fens
or the Essex Hundreds have the ague. It is the
undisguised opinion of all medical men the author
had an opportunity of conversing with, that a heal-
thier country, upon the whole, is not to be found
than Canada throughout its extent, and every suc-
ceeding year must add to its salubrity, by the clear-
ing of the forests, and draining, and making waters
navigable which are now only partially so
As the whole of the Upper Province is of compa-
rative recent settlement, land may be obtained in
* The notoriously unhealthy parts chiefly occur on the line
of the Rideau Canal, but particularly between the Rideau Lake
and Lake Ontario ; also the lands between the Bay of Quinte
and the Lake ; likewise some marshy tracts at each end of Lake
Erie : but all these together are an inconsiderable portion of the
province. It is not, however, for a moment denied that pru-
dent precautions are necessary to meet the change which an
atmosphere, perhaps essentially different from that of England,
may effect in the human system. The newly-arrived should
avoid exposure to the mid-day sun as much as possible, nor
should they be out after sun-down (in Yankee phrase). These
precautions, and the judicious use of the Jesuits’ bark, or the
sulphate of quinine, in doses of one grain, to fortify the system
against attack, or restore its tone after attack, will most likely
secure as good a share of health as it is the ordinary lot of man
to enjoy.
RIVERS AND CANALS.
57
almost any of the townships into which it is divided ;
and the chief criterion of value is to be found in the
vicinity to a large town or a navigable water , the
principal of which will be hereafter mentioned.
The main road of the province is a continuation of
the road from Montreal, at Coteau du Lac, along the
banks of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario to
Dundas, at its western extremity ; from thence it
runs nearly in a straight line inland to Chatham, near
Lake St. Clair. This road is called the Dundas-
street. Yonge-street, leading from York to Lake
Simcoe, thirty-six miles, is a fine spacious road.
There is also a road along the River Niagara and Lake
Erie to Sandwich, on Lake St. Clair ; and from
thence to Chatham : the greater part of this last is
called the Talbot road.
A road is making through the Huron tract to
Goderich, which will be connected with the last-
mentioned road at or near Port Talbot on Lake
Erie. Besides these, most ample provision has been
made in laying out the townships for main roads,
and also for smaller ones, intersecting each other at.
short intervals.
The principal rivers and canals will be noticed as
they occur, and also the canals now in progress ;
but, in addition to these, the whole country, except
the most western parts, is interspersed with rivers
and waters capable of being joined one to the other,
and forming communications in every direction; and
d 5
58
ROtlTE ALONG
likewise, by their difference of elevation and inex-
haustible supply, may be applied to milling purposes
to an almost indefinite extent.
ROUTE ALONG THE UPPER PROVINCE.
CORNWALL,
in the eastern district, seventy-eight miles above
Montreal, is the first town of consideration arrived
at in Upper Canada. Its situation is favourable
for the reception of the produce of the country
between it and Prescot, along the line of rapids, and
supplying it with goods. The county of Glengarry,
on the borders of which it is situate, is in a high
state of cultivation, and is one of the most flourish-
ing in the province.
The adjoining counties of Stormont and Dundas
are also in a forward state, and many villages are
scattered about. The rapids between this town
and Prescot have been surveyed, to ascertain the
practicability of overcoming the obstacles by lock-
ing, &c. ; and sanguine expectations are enter-
tained that the desired improvements can be made
at an easy expense, which will add greatly to the
value of property in this district.
PRESCOT,
fifty miles above Cornwall, in the Johnstown
district, is a town of great trade. The various
vessels which traverse Lake Ontario here deposit
THE UPPER PROVINCE.
59
their cargoes, to be transported down the ra-
pids to Montreal in boats. The forwarding mer-
chants (carriers) have large stores or warehouses
for the reception of the goods proceeding upwards
or downwards, and for the supply of the adjacent
country. Schooners and Steam-boats are built here
to a large extent : of the latter, the Great Britain ,
completed last year, is a most superb boat in all re-
spects, of 280 horse-power, and 700 tons measure-
ment. Coaches, and the light four-wheeled carriages
in universal use in America, and called waggons,
are made in great numbers at Prescot ; and all the
useful and necessary mechanical trades both do and
would flourish here if greatly multiplied. Good
stone is found in abundance in the neighbourhood,
of which the principal houses and stores are built.
There is a very good inn here, where travellers wait
for the steam-boats which daily start from hence to
York and Niagara. In 1831 there were seven or
eight constantly plying with passengers and goods
from April to November. Immediately opposite
Prescot, on the other side of the river, which is
about a mile wide, is the American town of Ogdens-
burg, of rising importance. Between these towns a
constant communication is kept up by a small steam-
boat and sailing boats, and the traffic from one to
the other is very considerable and increasing.
Kingston is sixty-two miles from Prescot. No-
thing can exceed the wild luxuriance of the shore on
the Canada side, which is most thickly covered with
60
BROCKVILLE — GANNANOQIJI.
hard timber. The latter part of the way the river
expands, and is called the Lake of the Thousand
Islands. A few of them are of some hundred acres
extent, and are covered with hard timber. Altoge-
ther, this is a most enchanting sail.
BROCKVILLE.
The steam-boats call at Brockville, twelve miles
from Prescot. This is a very delightful and thriving
town, and chiefly owes its prosperity to the settle-
ment in it of persons of some property, who are
engaged in the purchase and sale of wheat, and pro-
duce generally, of the province and the opposite
State of New York.
The Court-house, church, and most of the houses
are built in a very substantial and handsome style.
It sends a member to the House of Representatives.
A large grist-mill is erected a few miles distant ;
and every circumstance in this town and neighbour-
hood gives proof of the sure and profitable reward
attending on industrious enterprise in Canada.
GANNANOQUI
is thirty-two miles from Brockville. It is seated
on a river of the same name, which flows from a
lake not far back, and here falls into the St. Law-
rence, and is a never-failing stream, with a fall
of upwards of twenty feet. This power is employed
to work~several extensive saw and grist mills, all in
full and profitable employment. Some other mecha-
KINGSTON HARBOUR.
61
nical operations are performed by the use of ma-
chinery driven by the river, and the power is avail-
able to a much greater extent than now exercised.
A tan-yard and other useful establishments are in
a flourishing state. The town possesses most ex-
cellent wharfage.
From hence to Kingston is eighteen miles. At
the entrance into the Lake Ontario are two large
islands, within the line of demarcation, separating
Canada from the United States. Wolfe Island is
twenty miles long, and about six wide. Amherst
Island is about ten miles long, and six wide. These
two islands lay opposite Kingston, and form pleasing
rests for the eye in passing over the expanse of the
lake.
The harbour of Kingston is accessible to vessels
drawing fifteen feet water. At its entrance it is
about a quarter of a mile wide ; it then enlarges
into a fine bay, at the end of which the Rideau
Canal commences. The entrance of this harbour is
defended by batteries, and also the fort on Point
Henry — a most commanding situation — all of which
are undergoing reparation with the stone that
abounds in the immediate vicinity ; and the true
policy of so doing must at once be seen by reflect-
ing on the importance of preserving a free commu-
nication with the Lower Province and England, by
the canal, which cannot be interrupted without re-
ducing these works, or taking military possession of
the country.
62
KINGSTON.
Lake Ontario, at the eastern extremity of which
Kingston is placed, may be called a fresh-water sea,
about 170 miles long, by 60 miles wide. The
schooners that navigate this sea are from 40 to 200
tons burden; and there are ten steam-boats on the
Canada side ; all of them carry goods, and take
vessels in tow.
KINGSTON.
Kingston holds the rank of first commercial town in
the province, and its situation will enable it always
to maintain that rank. The ground on which it is
built is considerably elevated above the lake, with its
surface gently sloping towards it. The court-house,
one of the churches, barracks, and most of the
houses and stores of the merchants and persons
connected with the navy-yard and garrison, are of
stone or brick, and the footways of the principal
streets are paved with stone. The market is well
supplied with all the essentials and many of the
non-essentials. The former are to be obtained at a
cheap rate.
Schooners are built here, and manufactories of
soap and candles are established. A large brewery
and a pottery is close by. Hatting and all the minor
trades of utility flourish, and would do so if ten
times as numerous. An act has just passed for
establishing a bank here, which will contribute much
to its advancement, and is a measure most impera-
tively called for by the increasing trade, which will
KINGSTON.
63
soon receive so considerable an addition by the re-
moval of the chief obstacle to the rapid advance-
ment of the Upper Province, viz., the cost of trans-
port upwards, and the risk of the downward pas
sage, both of which will be removed by the Ptideau
Canal.
Navy Bay, on the sides of which are the esta-
blishments that enabled the British successfully to
dispute the command of the Lake with the Ame-
ricans in the last war, is formed by two peninsulas.
Point Frederic divides the bay from the harbour;
and, on the other, Point Henry, stands the fort, which
completely protects the bay and harbour.
Kingston is the head-quarters of the regiment in
charge of these and other forts at this end of the
Lake.
The immediate environs of the town are not very
fruitful, but several handsome houses and grounds
enliven the scene.
An American steam-boat plies between this town
and Oswego ; from whence coaches run daily to
Utica on the Erie canal. This last place is distant
from Albany ninety-six miles, from which a steam-
boat in twelve hours wil reach the city of New
York.
A considerable intercourse is also maintained with
Rochester and other towns on the southern shore of
the lake by schooners.
The population of Kingston is not far short of
64
KINGSTON.
6000, and during the summer this is exceeded. It
returns a member to the provincial Parliament.
From Kingston to York there are two routes —
one by steam-boat up the Lake, calling at* Coburg
and Port Hope ; but as the boats keep out from
land, little is offered by this route beyond the plea-
sure of a fine sail (all the steam-boats on the lake
carry sail), and a superior degree of comfort and
ease. The other route is by steam-boat up the Bay
of Quinte, 65 miles, and the remainder of the way
100 miles by coach. This bay enters the lake a little
to the west of Kingston, and is navigable through its
whole extent for schooners and steam-boats. The
country is in a high state of cultivation, the soil
most excellent, and the settlers generally of a supe-
rior order. The towns of Bath and Belleville are
finely situate on the borders of the bay, and are fast
increasing in wealth and importance. From this
bay there is a succession of small lakes and rivers,
by which a communication may be effected with
Lake Simcoe ; and a bill was passed last session, to
carry this into operation, which will increase the value
of the district, and extend the present limits of the
province in that direction.
The road from the Bay of Quinte to York lies not
far from the shore of the lake, and affords travellers
by this route an opportunity of judging of the soil
and country. The road, in parts, is rather rough,
but the coaches are adapted to them, and accidents
COBURG.
65
of a serious nature are quite as rare as in England :
and here it may be remarked, that the Canadian
horses, though not deficient in spirit, are, to a re-
markable degree, under the control of the drivers.
COBURG
is the first town of importance arrived at. A fine
port is here forming, by piers run out into the bay
formed by the lake. It has a court-house of
stone, church, chapels, and numerous houses and
stores substantially built. Some manufactories have
been established, and more were about to be formed
on an extended scale ; and no doubt can be enter-
tained of Coburg becoming a place of importance.
The cast of its inhabitants, and also those in the
immediate vicinity of it, is above the usual standard
of society : among them are many half-pay officers
and their families, altogether forming a circle little
inferior to the small towns in England, and much
superior to the more remote villages in England and
Wales.
PORT HOPE.
About seven miles to the west of Coburg is Port
Hope, situate by a river which falls into the lake.
The fall is used for working some mills, and is
capable of much greater use. It is a port of entry,
and considerable traffic is carried on between these
two towns and Rochester, which is nearly [opposite.
It has some substantial houses, &c. &c.
66
YORK.
From hence to York, about sixty miles, the la^e
is broken by a succession of beautiful bays, each
destined, at some future day, to be the seat of a town
from whence the produce of the country can be sent
to Europe with only one transhipment.
YORK.
York, the capital of Upper Canada, is about thirty
miles from the western extremity of the Lake, which
is here about thirty miles wide. The harbour in
front of the town is a spacious basin, nearly circu-
lar, formed by a neck of land running out into the
lake, at the extremity of which is a lighthouse.
The dimensions of this basin are two miles by one
and three-quarters, and the depth of water over most
part of it is from three to five fathoms. Two com-
modious piers have been formed for the embarkation
and landing of goods and passengers, and others are
about to be built. The streets are of great width.
King-street, the principal one, is partly paved, and
the remainder is to be done speedily. In this street
are the court-house, prison, and church ; the two
former of brick, and the latter now rebuilding of
brick and stone. Many of the houses in this
street are brick, which is taking the place of wood.
The hospital is a large building of brick. The col-
lege, with eight houses for the masters, and the
Parliament House, with extensive wings, containing
offices for the various departments of the state, were
finished in 1830 and 1831. They are of brick ; the
YORK.
67
latter with stone enrichments, and, for size and simple
grandeur, have but few equals in America. There
is also a Catholic church, and five chapels of various
denominations, all of brick. In the environs of
York are many houses and gardens that would be
considered ornaments to the environs of any town
in England.
The market is well supplied, but, from the demand
being large, provisions are rather higher here than in
other parts of the province.
Besides the college already mentioned, in which
the course of education is much the same as in the
public schools in England, from whence the masters
are sent, an University is to be established : the mo-
ney for building it has been voted, and the ground
marked out about a mile from the town. The pro-
fessors are to be appointed by the University of Ox-
ford, and will be empowered to confer degrees and
grant diplomas.
As the seat of government, York is, of course, the
place of residence of all the public functionaries ;
and, from this cause, numbers of officers on half-pay
and others of superior education have settled in the
county of York, and the society differs but little from
that of the large inland towns of England.
Every town of consideration in the province has
one or more newspapers, in general well conducted.
At York there are five or six published every week.
It has also philosophical, literary, and agricultural
societies, and a news-room well furnished with the
68
YORK.
principal English and American newspapers and
periodicals, maps, &c.
The harbour of York is defended by a fort, which
commands its mouth, and is the head-quarters of the
regiment in charge of the forts on the Niagara fron-
tier and the lakes Huron and Erie.
The river Credit, which enters Lake Ontario,
about fifteen miles west of York, is a fine stream
running through a fruitful district. The improve-
ment of the navigation of this river has long been in
contemplation; and in the session of 1830-1, a bill
passed the legislature to give effect to those inten-
tions, by which it will be rendered of great value to
the country through which it runs.
In the immediate vicinity of York there is some
extent of inferior land, sandy, with pine forests,
interspersed, however, with spots of a different na-
ture. As the land rises, which it does from York to
Lake Simcoe almost imperceptibly, the pine gives
place to oak and the other hard woods. Lake Sim-
coe is a beautiful sheet of water, about thirty miles
by twenty, including Cooke’s and Kempenfelt’s bays.
It is elevated very considerably above Lake Huron,
with which it communicates by the River Severn,
at present not navigable, but reported capable of
being made so. The projected navigation between
the Bay of Quinte and Lake Simcoe, before alluded
to, will much increase the prosperity of the settlers
round the latter lake, and it is rapidly settling.
The Canada Company’s settlement of Guelph is
WELLAND CANAL.
69
about sixty miles west of York, and near thirty from
Dundas, the nearest port on the Lake Ontario, or
rather Burlington Bay, as the western end of the
Lake is called. Not far from Dundas are the towns
of Hamilton and Ancaster. The whole country
round Burlington Bay and along the Niagara River
to Lake Erie is well settled and well cultivated, and
has numerous villages and good roads. The cli-
mate is delightful. Peaches are here produced on
standard trees, of a size and flavour seldom seen
even in the most favoured part of England with the
advantages of walls, &c. &c. : other fruits and pro-
duce of course flourish in an equal degree.
WELLAND CANAL.
The chief seat of business at this end of the lake will
of necessity be near the mouth of the canal ; and
Port Dalhousie will doubtless be the principal depot
for goods and produce. This canal is rather more
than forty miles long, and connects Lake Erie with
Lake Ontario : thus surmounting the most formi-
dable cataract in the known world, viz., the Falls of
Niagara. Like the Rideau, this canal is also made
sufficiently large for the schooners on the lake.
The importance of this canal may, in some mea-
sure, be estimated, when it is considered that the
produce of a most fruitful country, with a coast of
nearly 500 miles, must seek a market through this
canal,— to say nothing of the immense produce of
70
WELLAND CANAL.
the American side of the lake, and the State of
Michegan, a great part of which will take this route
as the most advantageous, the Americans having no
navigation for schooners farther east than Buffalo,
and no means of reaching Lake Ontario but by the
Erie Canal and the Genesee River at Rochester,
which must be carried on by small boats at a great
expense of time and labour *.
The recent alteration of the policy of the British
Government, in allowing the introduction of all
articles of produce from the United States into
Canada free of duty, will be of incalculable benefit to
Canada and also to England ; for, by means of this
and the other canal, the cost of carriage will be so
reduced, that the British or Canadian merchant can
afford to give the Americans more for their produce
than the New York merchants could afford, and
at the same time can supply them with British goods
on far more advantageous terms, even without
taking into account the present enormous duties,
which it is generally admitted by them cannot be
reduced much below 30 per cent.
Another most important feature in this part of
* A schooner and cargo can, by the Welland and the Ri-
deau canals, reach Montreal in five or six days from Lake
Erie ; whereas, her cargo cannot be forwarded to New York
from Buffalo, by the Erie Canal and the Hudson, in less than
twelve or thirteen days, and being twice shifted. To which
may be added, that from causes not quite explained, yet known
to exist, the entrance of the Welland Canal is free of ice three
weeks sooner than the Erie Canal, and keeps open as much
later.
DISTRICT OF NIAGARA.
71
the province is the water power to be derived from
this canal, and which, in fact, may be described as
unlimited : the fall of water is 346 feet, and the sup-
ply is inexhaustible. It is not, perhaps, too much to
say that the power here described presents to this
district advantages for the establishment of mills
and other manufactories that may in some measure
be compared to the coal mines of Lancashire, which
have given such importance to that portion of Eng*
land. Many saw and grist mills have already been
erected, and are in operation ; also a pail factory,
turning'lathe, and a furnace near St. Catherine’s.
Carding-machines and numerous others are erecting,
and, indeed, in every point of view, the District of
Niagara is second in importance to none in the in-
terior of America.
The prospects of increasing trade and intercourse
(which the change of policy before alluded to must
effect) are so bright, that it is in contemplation to
construct a rail-road from the River Chippewa,
above the Falls of Niagara to Lake Ontario, as an
additional facility for conducting the increased busi-
ness.
The expense of the trip from Montreal to York,
or Niagara, is about twenty dollars, and may be
performed in three days and nights ; and the latter,
being spent on board the steam-boats, reduces the
fatigue to almost nothing. It may be performed for
half that price, or less, by those who cannot afford
so much.
72
FALLS OF NIAGARA.
Proceeding along the river Niagara, through the
town of Queenstown, the road leads close by the
stupendous and magnificent Falls, which have long
held so conspicuous a place in the enumeration
of objects worthy the contemplation of all ad-
mirers of the sublimities of nature — in the de-
scription of which no two pens have, nor perhaps
ever will agree, as they are calculated to make
different impressions on persons of various tempera-
ment. Suffice it to say, that those whose souls are
capable of estimating the beauty and grandeur of
the scene, will be for a season entranced, and the
philosopher will be one moment lost in the contem-
plation of the utter insignificance of mere animal
strength, as compared with the tremendous power
before him, and the next in the satisfactory reflec-
tion, that science has enabled man to surmount this
formidable barrier to the progress of civilization.
Fort Erie stands on the British or Canada side of
the Niagara river, at its entrance from Lake Erie,
opposite the American town of Buffalo. From
thence to Sherbrooke, at the mouth of the Grand
River and Welland Canal, is thirty miles. It is
quite a new town, called into existence by the canal,
as Buffalo has been by the Erie Canal. The shores
of Lake Erie on the Canadian side are in a wild
state, compared with the country bordering on Lake
Ontario, and present but few towns of any size. The
iron mines and works of Charlotteville are situate
near the spacious bay formed by a point of land
SANDWICH.
73
stretching into the lake nearly thirty miles, called
Long Point. Almost opposite this point is the
American town and naval establishment of Erie.
PORT TALBOT
is situate nearly midway on the side of the lake.
The country round it is in a forward state of settle-
ment ; and from thence is a road to Goderich in
the Huron tract.
AMHERSTBURGH
is seated on the river which connects Lake St. Clair
with Lake Erie, and is the chief town in this part
of the province. It has a court-house, church, &e.,
and from two to three hundred houses. The har-
bour is secure and commodious, having! good an-
chorage, with three fathoms and a half of water.
SANDWICH
is nearly opposite the American town of Detroit,
and is almost as large as Amherstburgh, with a good
harbour. This part is in a high state of cultiva-
tion ; and for quality of soil and beauty of climate
is not to be surpassed.
CHATHAM.
Chatham is situate on the river Thames, which
empties itself into Lake St. Clair. It is a fine river,
and navigable to the town by schooners. The town
E
74
LAKES HURON AND SUPERIOR.
is rising in importance, and must continue to do
so, from the fine country around it.
LONDON OXFORD.
These towns are situate on the banks of the Thames,
far inland. Boats can go from London to Lake St.
Clair ; and the road from Chatham to Dundas, on
Lake Ontario, passes them.
The Huron territory, the property of the Canada
Land Company, extends for near sixty miles along
Lake Huron. The town of Goderich in this tract
is situate at the entrance of the river Maitland into
the lake ; and here the Company have stores for the
supply of the settlers upon their land. They have
also erected saw and grist mills, to forward the
settlement, and have engaged to expend upwards of
40,00QZ. in roads and other public works.
Lake Huron is much larger than either of the
other lakes before-mentioned ; and by far the greatest
portion of its shore is within the British territory.
It is but little known, except the Huron tract, and
that part of it which lies near Lake Simcoe. Those
parts are favourably spoken of ; and no doubt can
exist, that when the country east of this lake is settled
(which will take a century or so to complete), vast
tracts of fertile land may still be found to receive the
superabundant population of Great Britain and the
settled parts of Canada.
Lake Superior is still larger than Lake Huron ;
the shores do not exhibit the most favourable aspect.
GOVERNMENT LAWS.
75
But experience proves that this criterion is by no
means infallible ; and if the reports of the sur-
veyors are correct, is about to receive a signal con-
tradiction in the disclosure of a fine country behind
the most forbidding exterior, extending from the
Saguenay River nearly up to Quebec.
From Lake Superior, a chain of small lakes
lead to Lake Winnepeg, which is nearly as large as
Lake Ontario. On its western shore appears a
smiling plain, which continues still west along the
Red River, and is described to be 4 every way equal
in fertility to the lime- stone plain of Kentucky’— the
most envied spot in the United States. Beyond
this, the fur-traders have trading posts quite through
the Continent to the Pacific Ocean ; and the whole
distance can be travelled by canoe, excepting sixty
or eighty miles across the Rocky Mountains. About
five months are consumed in travelling from Mon-
treal to the Pacific. The late Lord Selkirk formed
a settlement on the Red River, which is still believed
to be considerable ; but their intercourse is chiefly
with Hudson’s Bay, and the fur- traders.
GOVERNMENT, LAWS, REVENUES, MONEY, SCHOOLS,'
AND CHURCH ESTABLISHMENT OF UPPER CANADA.
The government of Upper Canada is vested in a
governor, who receives his appointment from Eng-
land ; a legislative council, the members of which
are appointed by the governor for life (under cer-
e 2
76
SCHOOLS — MONEY.
tain restrictions), and a House of Assembly elected
by the freeholders in the counties, and the house-
holders in towns, every four years at least ; which
last branch has the same power and control over the
public purse as is possessed by the House of Com-
mons in England. No taxes can be levied without
their consent, nor for any purpose not relating to
the colony. All bills before they have the force of
laws, must receive the assent of the two Houses and
the Governor.
Both the civil and criminal laws of Upper Canada
are the same as in England, and are administered in
the same way, and by the same functionaries, viz.,
by judges, justices, &c., at quarter-sessions and
assizes.
No civil or political disability exists in Upper
Canada on account of religious persuasion, but all
are equally free. The Church of England derives
its support from grants of land which have been
made to it, and, beyond this, has no claim further
than any other class of ecclesiastics.
Schools upon the national system of education
are distributed in all the districts, which are erected
and supported by the public revenues.
The money of the Upper Province is the same as
in the Lower Province, except that crowns and half-
crowns go for no more than dollars and half-dollars ;
indeed, it is best to convert all English money into
dollars at Quebec or Montreal. Accounts are kept
the same as in the Lower Province, in Halifax cur-
REVENUE.
77
reney of four dollars to the pound, at 5 s. each. It
is also necessary to observe, that in consequence of
the frequent intercourse with the Americans, great
use is made of their way of reckoning the dollar 8s. ;
so that a ‘ York shilling,’ as it is called, is no better
than 7\d. Canadian ; and this circumstance is not
unfrequently made use of by the Americans, to
entice the ignorant labourer over to their side of the
lake or river, by the sound of higher wages to the
ear, but perhaps less to the other senses.
There is a bank at York, which has been long
established ; one-fourth of whose stock was sub-
scribed by the provincial government. Consequently,
they have the opportunity of exercising a salutary
control over it, and protecting the interests of the
public. A bill passed last Session for the esta-
blishment of a bank at Kingston, which has long
been desired and asked for ; but the same vigilance
is exercised here as in Lower Canada and England,
to keep the circulation of paper within the bounds of
moderation ; and however this policy may retard,
in appearance, the prosperity of the province as
compared with the United States, the real and solid
advantages of such wholesome control will not be
denied in Europe, nor is it by the sensible part of
the Americans.
REVENUE.
The revenue of Upper Canada is derived from a pro-
portion of the duties collected at Quebec and Mon-
78
REVENUE.
treal on imported goods ; the duties imposed on all
goods imported from the United States, which pay
the same as they would pay if imported into Eng*
land (except grain of all sorts, flour, timber, ashes,
beef and pork, and also live stock, which are ad-
mitted free of duty) ; a tax of Id. in the pound
on houses in occupation, land, mills, horses, car-
riages, oxen, and cows, all which are estimated by
a fixed table of valuation, where land under cul-
tivation stands at 20s,, and uncleared land at 4s.
per acre ; and the other descriptions of property are
valued on the same moderate scale.
The Canada Land Company pay a yearly stipend
of 17,500Z., for a certain time, for their land ; and
there is a small revenue from licences and fees,
sales of land, &c. The canals, harbours, and light-
houses, most of which have been partly or wholly
constructed by the government, yield a revenue.
The whole direct and indirect taxation scarcely
amounts to 3s. sterling per head ; and if a deduction
is made for the goods smuggled across to the United
States, the duties on which must be charged to the
Americans, the amount will be reduced almost to 2s.
per head, or not one-tenth of what the Americans
pay their State and Federal Governments.
Last year the income of the province was nearly
double their expenditure, and enabled them to pay
off 10 per cent, of the debt contracted for the pro-
secution of canals and other public works.
79
EXPORTS AND PRODUCTIONS OF THE CANADAS.
The chief exports of Canada are wheat, flour, Indian
corn, timber of all sorts, ships, salt provisions, fish,
ashes, furs, and a great variety of articles of smaller
consequence, but which are capable of great in-
crease.
The fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are
very flourishing, and are capable of great extension.
The rivers and lakes throughout Canada abound in
salmon, sturgeon, shad, and the smaller fish ; and
but little profit is at present derived from them,
though there can be no doubt that they could be
turned to great advantage.
The mountains are rich in mineral productions ;
but none are worked except iron. Some fine speci-
mens of marble have lately been brought from the
island of Anticosti, at the mouth of the St. Law-
rence * : a beautiful statuary marble is said to
abound on the banks of the river Saguenay ; and
other stone is found in the mountains in the different
parts of the provinces, particularly at Montreal,
where a very fine grey granite is worked. Stone is
also easily to be procured along the shores of the
lakes in many parts ; and on the shores of Lake
Superior, marble of good quality is found. Coals
are found in the lower part of the province, but,
* Where a very handsome light-house was last year erected,
of some inferior marble, found in great quantities.
80
EXPORTS AND PRODUCTIONS.
from the abundance of wood, are not at present
much attended to. A coal-mine has, however, re-
cently been opened in Nova Scotia, said to be of
very superior quality, and which will be a valuable
article of export to Boston, New York, and the
large towns on the coast of the United States ;
their own coal being by no means applicable to
general purposes, particularly steam-boats, which
all use wood, though it is getting scarce and dear.
CONCLUSION.
Of whatever rank or condition in life any person
may be who contemplates emigration, he must not
allow himself to think that, with a change of scene,
he will arrive at the end of his troubles.
He who has come to the determination of emi-
grating, has done so, most likely, with the hope
and expectation of attaining a substantial and per-
manent state of prosperity, instead of the precarious
and delusive circumstances in which he finds him-
self at present placed. Such an one will do well to
consider, if the end he proposes to himself is suffi-
cient to support him under some difficulties— for
some he is likely to meet with — whether he has only
the health and strength which nature has allotted to
him, unaccompanied by more or less wealth, or, on
the contrary, is furnished with the means of escaping
those privations which the poor must undergo in
any civilized society on earth.
CONCLUSION.
81
There is the most satisfactory evidence, viz., ex-
perience, that nothing of value is to be obtained
without some sort of equivalent, either by the ex-
change of articles on which circumstances stamp a
different value in different places ; or by the labour
of the hands or the head, to produce some one or
more of those articles ; or by administering to the
pleasures or comfort of those possessing a surplus
of the necessaries of life. It would almost appear
ridiculous thus to allude to what no one denies, and
yet it is certain that many act as though they were
not guided by any such axioms. The philosophy
of all will be put to some test on landing in Ame-
rica, either at New York or Quebec. At the former
place he will be captivated with the beauty of the
channel and harbour, and the bustle and animation
on the quays and in the streets ; but his first im-
pressions he will find are too vivid to last. Much
of the bustle he will discover is the consequence of
the want of system; and investigation on almost
every point will remove his admiration a peg lower.
New York is about thirty miles from the ocean.
Quebec is upwards of 400 miles from Newfound-
land— the first land generally made, the aspect of
which is very wild and barren. The island of An-
ticosti, or the coast of Gaspe, is next discovered
the former uninhabited, and the latter inhabited
principally by fishermen. From thence nearly to
Quebec, 300 miles, the shores of the river present
abrupt precipices, with mountains no great way in
e 5
82
CONCLUSION.
the rear, crowned with forests, and entirely wild.
This scenery, although sublimely grand in the eyes
of the lover of nature, is rather calculated to chill
the warm ideas of the cultivator ; and should con-
trary winds detain him among these wilds, may pre-
dispose him to listen with too favourable an ear to
some American speculator’s glowing account of their
land of promise. As he approaches to the island of
Orleans, he will be more satisfied ; and the admirer
of sylvan beauties will be delighted as he sails along
with this island on one side, and the main land on
the other, both enlivened with the picturesque
dwellings and churches of the French Canadians.
Quebec, with its glittering tin roofs and spires, and
castellated walls and battlements, with all the
attending circumstances of a port, is not seen till
within four or five miles, when, by turning a point
of land, the whole is in view, with the shore of the
St. Charles, under a high state of cultivation, and
the Falls of Montmorency. If the weather should
be fine, dull, indeed, must that fancy be which can
remain unmoved by objects so grand and beautiful
as here present themselves ; and every moment till
the ship gets alongside the wharf, is usually occu-
pied in examining its details.
If the leading trait in the character of the Ameri-
cans, viz., a migratory and restless spirit, is suffi-
cient to account for many of their actions in com-
mon life, so also does the leading characteristic of
the French Canadians, viz., an aversion to change.
CONCLUSION.
83
influence to an amazing degree almost every action
of their lives* and operates greatly to the disadvan-
tage of those parts inhabited chiefly by them. This
spirit not only prevents them from seeking for im-
provements in agriculture or the arts, but actually
induces them to reject any when they are offered.
The ground on which the city of Quebec stands is
most unfavourable for the erection of a town, and
the tenure by which the land is held is against the
erection of expensive houses ; but neither of these
circumstances have had so large a share in the pre-
sent uncouth exterior, as the determination of the
inhabitants to adhere to the old and by-gone customs
of two or three centuries. However, there is, per-
haps, no one circumstance or thing in Lower Ca-
nada that does not improve upon closer acquaint-
ance and inspection ; still it is not to be denied that
the first impression is likely to be unfavourable^
The streets are narrow, and the footways encum-
bered with the steps stretching into the roadway.
The windows are small, and glazed with small
panes of glass, which none but factories and houses
of mean rank in England exhibit ; and the ideas thus
engendered cannot be got rid of directly. The shop -
windows partake of the same character, but the stock
within them is not to be estimated by the exterior
appearance. The wharfs and warehouses are of a
different character, being more accordant with the
ideas formed of a commercial city, and are chiefly
the property of, and built by, the English and
84
CONCLUSION.
Scotch. In these warehouses the goods are stored
for transmission to Montreal, &c, ; and quantities
are sold by auction to the dealers at Quebec ; but no
other sign of this proceeding is to be discovered, than
an old flag hung out of one of the upper lofts on the
day of sale. If these warehouses were inspected,
larger quantities of merchandise would be disco-
vered than are to be found collected in the like num-
ber of warehouses at New York, where the great and
first object is to sell goods as soon as landed ; but a
stranger does not know this, and, therefore, is in-
clined to draw unfavourable conclusions, and be
discouraged in spite of himself.
At Montreal this indifference to advancement in
civil life, which sits like an incubus on the affairs of
the old Canadians, is not so prominent, by reason of
the larger proportion of inhabitants of British or
American extraction; but still there is that same
propensity to stick to the antiquated mode of con-
ducting business and affairs generally, to be disco-
vered, and to which the English merchant must, in
some measure, conform.
These observations are made not to discourage
any who are disposed to settle in Lower Canada
(and to Upper Canada they have not the least refer-
ence), but to prevent them from being discouraged
by first impressions . The last ten years have done
more than the preceding century did towards re-
moving the old prejudices of the Canadians, against
all and every plan proposed for the improvement of
CONCLUSION.
85
the province, and every year must add in a geome-
trical ratio to the new order of things ; for the lower
class already perceive that the enterprize of the Eng-
lish is opening to them new sources of employment,
by which the increasing population are fully and pro-
fitably occupied, but which their own wealthy coun-
trymen would never have thought of or engaged in.
And besides this, it is to be considered, that by the
natural increase of the British in the townships,
aided by emigration, the proportion of the French
Canadians is yearly diminishing. The English lan-
guage is now as much used as the French in the
large towns ; and it is by many supposed, that in
another twenty years, or less, French will be spoken
no where but in remote parts. This last circum-
stance proves that a change is working. The higher
order among them are by no means devoid of talent ;
and although they have allowed their humble bre-
thren to be the first discoverers of the benefits
arising from an enlarged and liberal view of things,
yet their interest must dictate their acquiescence,
even if their good sense will not.
Lieutenant-Colonel Bouchette, a Canadian, and
surveyor-general of the province, in speaking of the
agriculturist, says, ‘ Unhappily it is a circumstance
much to be deplored, that the Canadian farmer has
not had, to this time, the means of instruction in
numberless new and useful methods by which the
labour of the cultivator is abridged. As he is igno-
rant of all other modes, he continues to cultivate the
86
CONCLUSION.
ground after the manner of his ancestors for many
generations, and long habit confirms him in an un-
profitable partiality to old customs ; knowing the
natural fertility of his land, he is content to receive
a crop equal to the years preceding, and exhibits no
apparent desire to accumulate wealth by any new
method. But the belief that bad success and loss
would follow the use of new methods, operates more
forcibly upon him than disinclination to augment
his riches, the desire of which is as lively in him as
in others’
If this estimate of their character is correct, there
is no ground for despairing of them ; and although
the progress of improvement is slow, it will be sure.
But there is ample scope for the enterprise and
industry of the emigrant, whether of the agricultural,
mechanical, or trading class, without being controlled
by the notorious apathy of the old Canadians, and
which, in fact, is in many instances rather an advan-
tage to an enterprising European than otherwise, as
it gives him the first profits of any new process of
manufacture or speculation.
The obvious advantages of Lower Canada are the
uninterrupted navigation to the ocean, thereby con-
stituting the ports of Montreal and Quebec the centre
of the trade of this great extent of country with all its
attendant advantages ; the intercourse with the
fisheries of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, and the
country at the mouth of the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
the West Indies, and also with the United States,
CONCLUSION.
87
both by sea and inland navigation ; the crops and pro-
duce are encumbered with less charge of carriage,
and articles of British or West Indian production
are cheaper from the same cause. Ship-building
and other operations may be carried on here, which
could not in the Upper Province.
The advantages of the Upper Province to the
cultivator, are, its milder climate, and greater fertility
of its soil. To the trader, a certainty that a region
so blest must increase its population continually,
and consequently create a rising demand for all the
necessaries and luxuries of life. The superiority of
internal navigation which it possesses over any pos-
sessed by that part of the United States bordering
on the lakes, must insure to it a large share of the
trade of those parts ; and the great facilities pre-
sented by the numerous falls of water, for the erec-
tion of flouring-mills, which cannot be increased to
a greater extent than the demand for the article in
England, either for the supply of our own rapidly-
increasing population, or as an article of the first
necessity to other parts of Europe.
PART II.
SECTIONAL VIEW.
LOWER CANADA.
The province of Lower Canada is divided into five
districts : beginning at the east, they are Gaspe,
Quebec, Saint Francis, Three Rivers, and Montreal.
These districts are divided into counties ; and the
parts which were settled and granted at the time the
province passed into the hands of the English, are
further divided into parishes : these are situate on
each side of the river, between it and the townships,
and are not numbered on the map.
The tenure upon which these lands are held by
the seigneurs, or lords, is feudal ; their under-tenants
hold of them somewhat in the way in which copy-
holds are held in England, paying a small annual
rent, and a fine upon alienation ; and they are also
subject to the payment of a twenty-sixth part of the
grain raised, for the support of the clergy. These
lands, from being a long time under cultivation, and
by such slovenly cultivators as the generality of the
Canadians, are of course considerably exhausted.
2 B
2
LOWER CANADA.
The laws affecting real property, also, differ from
ours, which renders great precaution necessary in set-
tling on them ; but it must be admitted that the advan-
tages of situation are very great. The manners of
t he people, after a while, will be found very pleasing ;
and, perhaps, some of these lands would, under an
improved system of working, prove an advantageous
purchase to the North of England or Scotch farmer
of some capital. As, however, the quantity of land
offered for sale in the old parts, bears no sensible
proportion to the new parts, or townships, they will
not be further noticed ; besides, they are easily ac-
cessible, so that a personal inspection of any portion
offered for sale, is within a moderate expense of time
and money.
The district of Gaspe is chiefly devoted to the
fisheries, and occupied by Canadians ; it has a few
townships on the borders of the Bay Chaleur ; but
the inducements to the English emigrant, unless a
fisherman, are too small to require a further notice
here.
A township is generally a square tract of land of
about 100 miles, or 10 miles each way, containing
61,000 acres, besides an allowance of five acres in
every hundred for main roads. The townships, front-
ing a river or lake, are usually nine miles in front,
by twelve in depth, which will contain 67,200 acres,
besides the allowance for highways. These town-
ships are divided into 11 or 12 ranges or conces-
sions, of 28 lots each, of 200 acres, distinguished
LOWER CANADA.
3
as the 1st, 2d, 3d, and so on, range or concession,
reckoning from the lake, river, or main road by
which the township is fronted, and in the same order
for those behind. Of these lots, one in seven is re-
served for the support of the Protestant clergy, and
another seventh for the crown ; the rest are granted
(or sold) in free and common soccage ; that is, are
held as freehold land is held in England.
The district of Quebec is estimated, by the Sur-
veyor-General, to contain about 18,000 square miles,
and a population of 66,000 souls. It is well watered,
over the whole of its extent, by small lakes and
rivers, abounding in fish of excellent quality and
great variety. The face of the district is mountain-
ous, especially on the north side of the river St.
Lawrence ; but on the south side are many valleys,
and flat tracts of considerable extent. It is, at pre-
sent, divided into 11 counties ; but as some of these
appear to have changed their names within a few
years, and others are almost wholly occupied by
seigneuries, it is not intended to notice them more
particularly, but to take the townships in the whole
district in alphabetical order, for the sake of clear-
ness ; it being of much more consequence to be able
to refer at once to the township, than the county in
which it is situate, that being of little consequence
to the emigrant.
4
QUEBEC DISTRICT*.
Adstock. 10. Not yet surveyed, and not appear-
ing by the map to have any river or branch of a
principal river in its bounds.
Armagh . 21. No part yet settled. The soil is but
indifferent ; some meadow lands between the high
lands : it is bordered on one side by the river Du Sud.
Ashford . 28. Not having a very good character
as to quality of soil, although Bouchette speaks of the
seigneuries adjoining being well peopled and pro-
ducing grain of all sorts. Pine, beech, maple, and
spruce, are the chief woods growing on it ; rocky
heights intersect it, and it is watered by many small
streams.
Broughton. 8. Although this township is a little
mountainous, much of its surface is of good quality.
It is well furnished with maple, beech, birch, elm,
besides great quantities of inferior timber. It is
watered by many small streams, some of which enter
the river Chaudiere, running into the St. Lawrence
near Quebec. At present not navigable through its
whole extent, though, perhaps, at some future time
it will be made so. The seigneurie of St. Joseph
lies between it and the Chaudiere, to which there is
tolerably good roads, and it has also a, communica-
* The corresponding number in the respective districts on
the map, shows the geographical position of each township.
QUEBEC DISTRICT. 5
lion with Craigs road. It is distant about 50 miles
from Quebec, and is partly settled, and has the town-
ships of Leeds and Inverness on its north-west,
which are rapidly settling.
Buckland . 21. One-fourth only of this township
has been surveyed. A part of it is considerably ele-
vated, and the valleys rather wet ; yet the soil
appears of good quality, adapted to all kinds of grain,
and hemp and flax. Along the rivers are fine mea-
dows. It is well watered by numerous currents and
branches of rivers, and presents many sites for mills.
The wood is chiefly maple, beech, birch, elm, cedar,
and black ash. Some accounts say that the rear and
south-east centre are high and barren. It has not
many settlers upon it.
Bungay . 31. Not surveyed.
Coleraine. 9. Not much known, and quite un-
settled. It is watered by lake St. Francis, by which
it will have a communication with the St. Lawrence
at some future day. Also by other streams and
lakes.
Cranbourn . 24. Well watered by the rivers Des
Fleurs and Guillaume, and lakes Etchemin and Petit
Lac. From the former proceeds a river into the St.
Lawrence near Quebec. The soil is generally of
good quality : the best part is between lake Etche-
min and the main branch of the river flowing from
it, which is an excellent upland portion. The town-
ship is partially settled, is about 45 miles from Quebec,
6
QUEBEC DISTRICT.
and has good communication with it by the Ken-
nebec road.
Dorset. 15. This township is on the west side of
the Chaudiere, which waters its east side, and a
branch enters its north boundary. It is a large
township, composed principally of fine eminences of
good soil, almost throughout calculated for the cul-
ture of hemp and flax. It is admirably watered by
three lakes, and many streams which empty them-
selves into the Chaudiere. The worst portion occurs
on the rocky banks of the Chaudiere. On the borders
of the. other streams are found some extent of fine
meadow land. The whole now belongs to the heirs
of the late Mr. McTavish. No settlements have yet
been made on it.
Frampton. 22. Is situate on the east of the
Chaudiere, having the seigneuries of St. Joseph and
St. Marie, between that river and it, and the town-
ship of Cranbourn to the south. A soil for the most
part favourable to agriculture, although greatly
broken by hills and valleys, forms the general cha-
racter of this township. It is watered by the prin-
cipal branch of the river Etchemin, and several
smaller rivers, upon which are many fine sites for
mills. The south-east part is very mountainous.
The uplands are well clothed with beech and maple,
the soil is a strong white or yellow clay, producing
good crops of wheat. The valleys are rather wet
and swampy, though possessing a tolerably good
QUEBEC DISTRICT.
7
soil. Those which are cultivated show some of the
finest meadows. There is also great quantities of
potter’s earth found in them. Much of the surface
of the whole is said to be encumbered with loose
stones, which increases the cost of cultivation ; yet
it is well settled by several respectable proprietors,
and has numerous roads through it, and the Ken-
nebec road in front. Perhaps its neighbourhood to
Quebec may compensate for a little inferiority of
soil. It has a corn-mill, tavern, several asheries,
&c. &c.
Gay hurst. 16. On the river Chaudiere, projected,
but not surveyed.
Halifax. See it in the district of St. Francis.
Ixworth . 29. A small part only of this township
has been surveyed, namely about 1200 acres, which
are said to be excellent land, and part of it is already
under cultivation : of the rest little is known. Much
pine timber is cut up the river Ouelle, which does
not speak loudly for the excellence of the soil in that
part.
Inverness. 4. The whole of this township has an
excellent character, except a swamp of about 8000
acres in the northern part, which is covered with
hemlock, spruce fir, and cedar. On the dry lands
are abundance of the hard woods. It is watered by
Lake William, which discharges into the river Be-
cancour, communicating with the St. Lawrence,
8
QUEBEC DISTRICT.
besides other small streams. The lands in the
south part are considered the most superior. It is
considerably settled, and has seven saw-mills upon
it, about 40 miles from Quebec, with good roads all
the way,-— although most of the townships on the
west of the Chaudiere will find St. Nicholas, about
18 miles above Quebec, the best point to make to:
from thence a steam-boat and small craft are con-
stantly running, by which much land carriage and
time is saved.
Ireland, 6. Is in the rear of the last-mentioned
township. The land in the north-west (towards
Halifax, 6, in St. Francis district) is of an excellent
quality, and proper for hemp and flax or grain of
any sort. The south-east portion is little worth,
being a collection of rugged hills, with small lakes
and swamps between them. It is watered by many
small lakes and streams, and Craig’s road to Quebec
runs through it. Partly settled, and has a corn-mill
and a sawing ditto on it.
Jersey, 20. Is a triangular-shaped tract, lying
between the rivers Chaudiere and Du Loup. Not
yet surveyed.
Leeds, 5. Is an irregular-shaped tract. Except
to the north-west, towards Inverness, 3, where it is
poor and very stony, this township is generally of
excellent quality for the whole routine of agriculture.
It is well wooded with the hard woods, intermixed
with firs, and is abundantly watered by the Beean-
QUEBEC DISTRICT.
9
eour, which enters the St. Lawrence, and by many
other smaller streams, and is intersected by Craig’s
road. It has been much settled upon within the
last eight or ten years, and particularly the last three
years, along the road. It has two saw-mills, &c.
Marlow . 19. Not surveyed; on a branch of the
Chaudiere, and near the Kennebec road.
Nelsoji. 3. An irregular-shaped tract in the rear
of the seigneurie de St. Croix. The land is rather
low, but of medium quality, calculated to produce
almost every kind of grain ; and towards the south-
east (borders of Leeds, 5) the land rises, and is of
superior character. The timber is birch, beech,
maple, and pine, besides cedar, hemlock, spruce, &c.
on the low and wet ground. It is watered by the
rivers Becancour and Du Chene, and many smaller
streams, which ultimately fall into the two first
named ; it is not, however, in a state of settlement.
Olney . 14. Not surveyed.
Risborough. 18. Another projected township, not
yet surveyed.
Spalding . 17. Situate on the east of the Chau-
diere, and on the boundary line between Canada and
the state of Maine.
Standon . 25. This township is hilly and very
indifferent land. The best parts are towards Framp-
ton, 22, and are already granted.
B 5
10
QUEBEC DISTRICT.
Shenly. 13. Is an irregular tract, with mode-
rately-good soil in parts, but the general face is
broken ; rather deficient in water, though pretty well
wooded ; no part yet under cultivation.
Somerset . *. On the south of the river Becan-
cour, and adjoining Nelson, 3, and partaking of its
general character.
Stoneham. 1. — Tewksbury. 2. These townships
are on the north side of the St. Lawrence, in the
rear of the seigneuries. They are for the most part
very mountainous and rocky, and not worth culti-
vating, except in some of the valleys, where there is
some tolerable land. Some exceptions may be made
In favour of Stoneham, where the land bordering the
river Jacques Cartier is composed of a yellow marl.
They are watered by the great rivers Batiscan,
Jacques Cartier, and St. Anne, and several smaller
rivers and lakes.
Thetford. 7. On the north side of the St. Law-
rence, in the rear of Leeds, 5. Its general character
is mountainous, with a few portions of good land.
The south-east, towards Coleraine, 9, and Tring, 11,
is very poor, lying upon a bed of stone. It is but
thinly wooded, though it is generally of good quality,
and well watered.
Tring. 11. The ground for the most part is
capable of profitable cultivation, and abounds in
excellent timber. It is well watered by a chain of
DISTRICT OF THREE RIVERS*
11
rive lakes, well stocked with excellent fish ; they fall
into the river Chaudiere. Settlement begun.
Ware, 27. Not surveyed.
Watford. 26. Not surveyed.
Winslow . 1 2. Not surveyed.
Woodbridge. 30. Not surveyed.
DISTRICT OF THREE RIVERS. ’
The district of Three Rivers lies to the west of the
district of Quebec, and originally included the district
of St. Francis, which is the southern part, and which
is now wholly laid out in townships. For the sake
of clearness they will be enumerated separately.
This district contains four counties.
The town of Three Rivers lies on the north banks
of the St. Lawrence, nearly in the centre of the
present settled part of the district. The climate
is considerably milder than that of the Quebec
district, general report concurring that the principle
of vegetation is active for a month more in this than
in that district.
The lands on each side of the river are occupied
by seigneuries, and contain about 1,040,000 acres.
There are but few townships laid out, and those
12
DISTRICT OF THREE RIVERS.
nearly all on the south side of the river, adjoining'
the district of St. Francis. On the north side of the
river some of the land is of excellent quality, but
degenerates towards the mountains, and in parts,
especially those bordering lake St. Peter, is subject
to floods in the spring.
Arthabaska. 14. Is an irregular-shaped tract
not settled. The soil resembles the adjoining town-
ships of Halifax and Chester, but in some parts it
is lower and a little swampy. The wood consists
principally of beech, birch, and elm, and some pines.
The inferior woods are abundant in the low parts.
Many branches of the rivers Nicolet and Becancour
traverse it. The river Nicolet is navigable for 21
miles from its mouth at the east end of lake St.
Peter.
Aston. 5. Is seated on the river Becancour, and
in the rear of the seigneurie of Becancour. On the
river before-mentioned and the river Blanch, the
land is rather high, but at a little distance it is
low and flat: the soil is however good, and it is
the opinion of Bouchette it will prove very fertile
under good cultivation ; the wood upon it is various ;
it has a road into the district of St. Francis, and has
communication with the St. Lawrence by the Be-
cancour, which, though not navigable at present, by
reason of falls and rapids, will no doubt be made so
at some future time. It is partially settled in the
front.
DISTRICT OF THREE RIVERS.
13
Blandford. 7. On the borders of the Becancour,
and in the rear of the seigneuries of Gentilly and
Livard. This and the neighbouring township of
Maddington partake of the same character. Along
the river the land is of the same description as in
Aston : the surface is generally level, and the soil
for the most part of good quality, and calculated for
the cultivation of grain or hemp and flax. It is well
watered by many small streams and lakes, on the
borders of which are good pasture tracts. Settlement
is commenced in front, and a saw-mill erected.
Bulstrode 8. South-west of the last-named
township, and between the rivers Becancour and
Nicolet. The surface in general is level and low,
with many marshes and brules (spots on which the
timber has been burnt or blasted), particularly to-
wards the middle of the township. Near the rivers,
and towards Warwick, the ground is higher, and has a
pretty good soil : the low parts are somewhat sandy,
and in others a black earth prevails. There is but
one settlement, which is on the Becancour, of 40
inhabitants.
Caxton. 2. This township is on the north side
of the St. Lawrence, having the lands belonging to
the St. Maurice Iron Works on the east, and the
township of Hunter’s Town on the west, and in front
the seigneurie of St. Etienne. Two good roads
have lately been opened through it, and a communi-
cation made with the St. Lawrence by the river Du
14
DISTRICT OF THREE RIVERS.
Loup. The land is described to be in general low,
with some thickly-wooded hills ; and where the
roads have been cut, the wood is said to be of very
good quality. There are yet but few settlers upon
it ; but if the description is correct, perhaps it may
be called a valuable spot from its locality.
Glasgow.— Is a projected township also on the
north of the St Lawrence, but not surveyed.
Grantham. 3. On the south of the St. Lawrence,
and between the boundary of the Montreal district
and the river St. Francis ; on the banks of which the
ground is high, and cut by many deep ravines. In
other directions it is much more level. The soil is
good almost throughout the whole extent. In many
parts of this township are large tracts, that produce
abundantly a species of grass which dries upon the
ground, and is not much inferior to meadow hay.
The river Noire, or Black River, with many other
streams, run through it, and offer many favourable
situations for mills. A post road from Quebec to
Boston and Burlington, on lake Champlain, runs
through it 5 and there are other good roads. The
principal road, however, runs through a flat and
sandy tract, of but little value. It is well settled,
and has within it the village of Drummondville, two
churches, (Roman Catholic,) two schools, four tan-
neries, three saw-mills, two corn ditto, eight asheries,
a carding and a fulling mill, a tavern, &c. The
population is about 400. On the banks of the St.
Francis is abundance of iron ore.
DISTRICT OF THREE RIVERS.
15
Horton . 10. Is a small irregular tract on the
western border of Bulstrode. The river Nicolet
runs through it. There is not much known of it,
but the neighbourhood of the river in the adjoining
township of Bulstrode is rather favourably spoken
of by Bouchette. It has but one settler on it.
Hunterstown. 1. On the north side of the St.
Lawrence, adjoining the township of Caxton. To-
wards the rear it is broken by very high hills ; and
the whole has but a very indifferent character, pre-
senting a continued stratum of rock, lying very
near the surface. Pine and maple are in great
quantities, but cedar, spruce, and hemlock are much
more so.
Maddington. 6. On the south side of the St.
Lawrence, adjoining Blandford, and partakes very
much of its character. In parts it is represented to
be of superior quality, and in others rocky and
sterile. Near the river Becancour the land is equal
to that of Aston. Only one settlement has been
made on it, and is near the river, which presents
many good opportunities for mill-seats.
Simpson. 12. On the east side of the St. Francis.
It is low and level, but with very few swamps, and
is calculated for the cultivation of all sorts of grain,
and also hemp and flax. Beech and maple are
found partially ; but the woods of less value are
more abundant. A few settlers only are upon it?
near the St. Francis, and the road which follows its
16
DISTRICT OF THREE RIVERS.
course till it meets Craig’s road, in the township of
Shipton, in the district of St. Francis. It is wa-
tered by several branches of the Nicolet, by which
many mills might be advantageously built.
Stamford . 9. On the south of the river Becan-
cour, between Bulstrode and Somerset. The situa-
tion of this township is very low, and extremely
swampy, and only a small portion of it fit for culti-
vation.
Warwick, 1 3. Bounded towards the east by the
Nicolet; and the south-west branch of the same
river runs through the adjoining township of Simp-
son, and from which proceed numerous branches,
that in the spring overflow a great part of Warwick.
Excepting the three first ranges of lots, it is perfectly
worthless, and is thickly covered with spruce and
hemlock.
Wendover. 4. Between the south-west branch of
the Nicolet and the St. Francis. Near the latter
river the land is susceptible of culture ; but at no
great distance it falls into low and deep swamps,
with a soil of sand and gravel. The road between
the state of Vermont and the river St. Lawrence
lying through it, may, however, at some future time,
render some part of it valuable.
Wickham . 11. Lies on the opposite side of the
St. Francis, and is very little superior to the last-
mentioned township. But the advantage of the
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
17
river St. Francis, and also the road to Boston and
Quebec, has attracted settlers to the number of 260,
with a corn mill and saw ditto.
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
The district of St. Francis claims a large share
of the attention of the emigrant intending to settle
in the lower province of Canada. It possesses much
greater fertility than the district of Quebec, as well
as a milder climate ; and being entirely laid out in
townships, the whole of it is held, or will be granted,
on the same tenure on which lands are held in Eng-
land. it is well intersected with rivers, lakes, and
roads, which will be noticed in the respective town-
ships. The river St. Francis, which runs through a
great part of its depth, is a large stream, and one of
its branches nearly joins a stream leading into lake
Memphremagog, which, by another stream, com-
municates with the Connecticut river, running into
the Atlantic Ocean. The practicability of rendering
this navigation available from the lake to the St.
Lawrence, at no very vast outlay, is reported to be
placed beyond a doubt ; and as soon as the general
state of settlement in the district warrants the un-
dertaking such an extensive work, it will, in all pro-
bability, be commenced. The county of Sherbrook
18
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
at present includes the greater part of this district ;
but it will probably be divided at some future time.
Adstock. 25. A projected township only, but
supposed to lie rather high, not far from lake Me-
gantic. Shape triangular.
Ascot. 13. Is advantageously situated on the
forks of the river St. Francis, and near the north
end of lake Memphremagog. In every point this
tract is considered valuable ; and the nature of the
soil is so happily varied, that it is adapted to every
agricultural purpose. The timber is principally
beech, maple, oak, and pine. It has some consider-
able streams running through it, on which several
large mills have been put into operation. On the
sides of the rivers many farms have (says the Sur-
veyor-General in 1815) arrived at a flourishing state,
which proves their improvement must have been
rapid, since no part of the land was granted before
1803. He estimated the population at that time at
1000 souls ; and it has been advancing from that
time steadily. A great many of the settlers in this
and the neighbouring townships are Americans, who
have been attracted by the advantages of the situa-
tion and soil, and have taken the oath of allegiance
to the British government. They are very expert
at clearing land and bringing it forward, and no
doubt, like most of their countrymen, are not disin-
clined to sell their improved farms, and then set to
work to clear new ones. There are two villages in
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
19
the township, about three miles apart, Sherbroke
and Lenoxville. The former contains from 300 to
400, and the latter 150 to 200 inhabitants. Many
manufactories of pot and pearl ashes, corn, and
saw mills, are established ; and there is besides
considerable traffic with the United States in live
stock and other produce, which must very much
increase when the contemplated improvement in the
navigation of the St. Francis takes place; so that
this is rather a favourable spot for the small trader
to direct his views to, especially if conversant in any
of the useful arts.
Auckland. 36. Lies near the bounds of the pro-
vince, and the state of New Hampshire. It is in
general unequal and rough ; in some parts moun-
tainous, and in others marshy and low. The dry
and level parts possess a moderately good soil,
which would repay the labour of cultivation. In
some lower parts, hemp might be grown to advan-
tage. It is intersected by numerous streams, and
the Indians have made a path through it to the
Chaudiere river. No part is yet settled.
Barford. 40. Is a small township on the frontier
line, and no part yet settled, although the quality
of the land is good, and the wood excellent. It is
well watered by small streams.
Brompton. 8. Is seated on the west of the river
St. Francis, by which, and towards Melbourn, the
land is of a medium quality, but towards the south
20
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
it is rough and barren : it is watered by several
streams and a lake. On the St. Francis several
farms are settled, which are prosperous. Contains
a population of about 300.
Bury . 19. Is of an irregular shape, only partially
surveyed, but the soil is said to be pretty good, and
very susceptible of culture, and appears likely to
suit all kinds of grain. The timber consists of
maple, ash, beech, butternut, &c. It is watered by
many small streams, and will be traversed by a
road into Vermont, and also connected with Craig’s
road, in the township of Ireland, in the Quebec
district.
Chester . 6. A township adjoining Arthabaska, in
the district of Three Rivers. It possesses consider-
able advantages by its situation, and a soil proper
for all kinds of agriculture. The Surveyor-General
speaks in high terms of the south-east and north-
west quarters. It is traversed by Craig’s road, and
watered by several main branches of theNicolet and
the Becancour. The timber is abundant and of
great variety. Settlement commenced.
Chesham . 31. Not yet surveyed.
Clinton. 32. A small tract, scarcely more than
one-fourth of a regular township, at the south end
of lake Megantic, and having on its east the township
of Woburn, which lies within the territory in dispute
between Great Britain and the United States. The
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
21
land is in all respects of a superior character, and
the soil of the first quality, and presents a good
quantity of luxuriant pasturage. No part of this
township has yet been settled, although it abounds
in advantageous spots. It is well watered by seve-
ral streams that fall into the lake from which the
river Chaudiere proceeds to the St. Lawrence near
Quebec.
Clifton . 35. This tract is tolerably level, except
near the rivers, where it is broken and steep, form-
ing an agreeable variety. The quality of the soil is
generally good, and able to produce grain in abun-
dance. Some swamps, covered with cedar and
black ash, are to be found in different directions ;
but they are capable of being drained with ease. It
is watered by two or three rivers and a great num-
ber of smaller streams, which fall into the St. Francis.
Settlement commenced, and three asheries, one corn-
mill, one saw-mill, and a school are established.
Compton. 34. This township joins the well-
settled township of Ascot, to which it is in no respect
inferior. It contains in different parts gentle eleva-
tions of great extent, which are covered with wood
of good quality and large size. It is excellently
watered by the St. Francis, near which is good
meadow land. Roads are cut and bridges erected
in the settled parts, communicating with Quebec
and other parts by Craig’s road. Numerous
thriving settlements are made near the rivers ; and,
22
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
as the chief of the traffic between Canada and
Vermont passes through it, it is in every respect a
flourishing township, and contains seven saw-mills,
two corn ditto, one carding and one fulling ditto,
asheries, taverns, school, &c.
Croydon. 38. Is on the line between Canada
and the state of New Hampshire. It is not yet
surveyed.
Ditchfield. . 28. Lying on the east of lake Megan-
tic, but no account has yet been given of it.
Biiton . 30. The surface of this township is
irregular, and rises in many places into hills. The
soil however is generally good, and it is well tim-
bered. It is cut by many good streams, which fall
into the St. Francis. No part is settled.
Drayton. 42. Is in the disputed territory ; and
some settlers from the United States have cleared a
portion of it. Hence it is inferred that it contains
some good land.
Dudswell. 15. The soil in this township, where
it is level, is fit for the culture of grain. Towards
the centre it rises to a considerable mountain, the
top of which is flat and divested of wood : it is
therefore called the Bald Mountain. The timber is
greatly varied. The St. Francis, with many small
currents, water it completely. A road is now in
progress through the township, which will of course
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
23
much benefit it ; and some farms are settled, which
have attained a respectable state of prosperity.
Durham. 1. The land is generally good, and
contains many large tracts capable of cultivation with
advantage. The wood upon it is in the usual va-
riety. There is oak among it, but it is not so abun-
dant as other sorts. It is watered by a great number
of small streams. The road to Drummondville, in
the township of Ascot, runs through it, on which
some settlements have been made. It possesses two
saw-mills, and offers situations for many more.
Population about 270.
Eaton . 22. The land generally may be said to
be of a favourable quality ; towards the north-west,
next to Stoke, it is rather low; in other parts there
are swelling uplands. Parts are stony and occa-
sionally sandy. Slate of good quality has been
found, but experience is rather against its use in
Lowrer Canada, and black-lead ore has been dis-
covered. Much of the west part is settled towards
Ascot, to the extent of 9000 acres, with a population
of upwards of 800, with two Protestant churches,
six saw-mills, three corn ditto, a tannery, asberies,
a distillery, carding and fulling mill, taverns, &c.
Although no stream of considerable size is in this
township, it is intersected by a great number of small
rivulets. The wood is remarkable for its abundance,
excellence, and great variety.
Emberton . 37. Not yet surveyed.
24
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
Garthby . 17. One of the three townships in
which is the lake St. Francis, but not yet sur-
veyed.
Halifax . 6. Partly situate in the district of Que-
bec. Is one of the most northerly townships in this
district. It is described as possessing a soil gene-
rally excellent. It presents many good situations
for the cultivation of hemp and flax. The north-
east part is low and has some marshes, but they
admit of being easily drained. In the opposite di-
rection it rises, and is unequal in verging towards
the south. It is watered by some small rivers and
streams, and by the picturesque little lake Pitt, which
is about five miles long and half a mile broad, and
traverses the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th ranges, and
discharges itself into the Becancour. Craig’s road
passes over a part of this tract, but there are not
many settlers at present on it.
Ham. 11. The land is of a description which
might be cultivated with much success, and would
produce wheat and other grain. Some parts are
calculated for hemp and flax. The surface is gently
undulating, and covered with the wood which in-
dicates a fertile soil. In some places in the valleys
it is a little swampy. It is watered by the river
Nicolet, which takes its rise in a lake of the same
name in this and the adjoining township of Weedon.
A road has been projected to communicate with
Craig’s road, but it does not appear whether it has
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
25
been completed, nor if any settlement has been ef-
fected.
Hampden . 24. An irregular- shaped tract, not
yet surveyed.
Hartwell. 29. In the disputed territory. Not
surveyed.
Hereford. 41. This township is on the frontier
between Canada and Vermont. The surface is un-
even and mountainous as it approaches the south ;
yet the land is generally pretty good, and applicable
to the various purposes of agriculture. It is well
watered by the subsidiary streams of the Connecticut
river which runs south, and on their banks are some
settlers, who turn their attention to grazing, for
which their land is adapted. There are two prin-
cipal roads through the township. The timber is
generally good. In some parts hemp and flax may
be cultivated to great advantage. There is a popu-
lation amounting to nearly 200, with a corn-mill,
two saw ditto, two schools, ashery, &c.
Kingsey . 2. On the east bank of the St. Francis.
A line drawn across from east to west would sepa-
rate very nearly the two qualities of land of which it
is composed. The front on the river, and the side
next Shipton, are the best, and capable of every kind
of culture. The parts adjoining Warwick and Simp-
son are low and swampy, and covered with cedar,
and other wood of that nature. It is advantageously
2 C
26
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
watered by several branches of the Nicolet. Some
settlers are established on the borders of these
streams ; but the part most settled is in front, on
the St. Francis, where many industrious farmers
have made great progress, considering the short
time since they commenced ; and it is probable their
success will soon attract more.
Lingwick. 20. Is situate between the unsurveyed
townships of Stratford and Hampden. There is
some little obscurity attached to this township. The
following is the account given of it by the surveyor-
general, who, nevertheless, is by no means clear in
his description of its situation. Although in many
parts the surface is allowed to be irregular or rough,
the soil is generally good. Beech, maple, birch,
spruce, and fir, form the principal woods that are
produced. A great many streams, which fall into
the St. Francis, water it in almost all directions. In
the south-west part, cultivation has made some pro-
gress; almost every kind of grain is produced, and
the soil is fitted to the cultivation of hemp and flax.
It is intersected by many roads, which communicate
with the neighbouring establishments, as well as that
which runs into Vermont.
Marston. 27. On the west side of lake Megantic,
which is about nine miles long, and two miles broad,
and is well stored with fish, as the country is with
game. The land is various, being sometimes hilly,
and often very stony ; but for the most part the soil
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
27
is tolerably good. Many places are proper for the
growth of hemp and flax. The wood is a mixture
of maple, fir, hemlock, cedar, and spruce. Many
streams and small lakes, besides the Megantic, water
it abundantly, and on whose borders are excellent
meadow lands. No settlement has yet been made.
Melbourne . 3. Is west of the river St. Francis,
and the soil in general is but little inferior to that in
the township of Shipton, of which Bouchette says,
“ It is, without contradiction, the best of all the
townships in this district.” It is well covered with
good maple, beech, elm, pine, and oak. It is watered
in all directions by streams which fall into the St.
Francis, on which are many considerable settlements
that have made great progress. Much pot and
pearl ash is made, and many saw-mills find constant
employment. Roads are opened to the neighbour-
ing settlements and along the river. Population
about 550.
Newport. 23. Has a varied surface, and the soil
maybe characterized as rather good than bad. The
North river nearly divides it from east to west, from
which the land rises gently on both sides. Towards
Clifton, and also towards Hampden, it is hilly.
There are numerous streams running through it,
which sufficiently water it, and some swamps, that
are described as capable of culture. There is a po-
pulation of 100 on it, who have cleared upwards o
1000 acres, and have a corn and a saw-mill, asheries,
C 2
28
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
&c. The timber is of good sort and quality. Slate
and blacklead ore has been found in it.
Shipton. 4. The land is of an excellent quality,
and almost equally good throughout the township.
Many parts, which are a little elevated above the rest,
are particularly calculated for crops which require a
dry and fertile soil. The timber is beech, oak,
maple, birch, and pine, mixed with inferior wood,
in great abundance. It is exceedingly well watered
by a main branch of the Nicolet, which is navigable
from hence into the St. Lawrence, and by many
small streams, which fall into the Nicolet and St.
Francis, and form a water communication to almost
all parts of the township. Craig’s road runs nearly
through the centre, and other roads are formed and
forming. It contains the villages of Richmond and
Interior; a church, four corn-mills, seven saw ditto,
two carding, two cloth, and one fulling, ditto ; three
tanneries, hat manufactory, &c. Altogether this is
a thriving and important township. Its population
is about 900 or 1000.
Stanhope. 39. On the boundary line, and is not
surveyed.
Stratford. 21. Is on the eastern side of the
district, and is only yet a projected township.
Stoke. 14. The land is of the first quality, and
adapted to all the routine of agriculture. Some
swamps are to be found, but they are neither large
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
29
nor deep, and would not fail, if drained with care, to
make good meadows, many of which there are
already in different parts. It is well watered by
many rivers and currents, which, after winding about
in all directions, fall into the St. Francis. Settle-
ment has made but little progress, and there are no
roads.
TingwicJc. 5. On the west of the Nicolet river.
Not yet surveyed.
Upton . — See Montreal District.
Weedon. 16. Only projected.
Westbury . 18. Is a small triangular township.
The soil in the west part, towards Ascot, is of a
quality favourable to agriculture ; but the east part
is of a rude, uneven aspect, very inferior soil, and
swampy. The timber is of the quality to be ex-
pected, viz., not very good, except in the first-named
part. The St. Francis runs through it, and is navi-
gable for small boats; and a great many streams
fall into it in this township. Some lumbering is
carried on, and settlement has commenced. Has a
corn and saw mill, and a population of 60.
Windsor. 9. On the east of the river St. Francis.
It is a fine tract, with a rich and excellent soil, varied
so as to suit almost all kinds of culture, but espe-
cially hemp and flax. The surface is elevated in
gentle ridges, and a few marshes are found, but they
might be easily drained, and converted into beau-
30
DISTRICT OF ST. FRANCIS.
tiful meadows. The township is watered by two
large and several small currents, which fall into the
St. Francis. It is but thinly settled, notwithstand-
ing its favourable soil and situation, which is attri-
buted to the circumstance of the whole of it having
been granted to the officers and privates of the
militia (Canadian), for their services in 1776; and
experience has proved that lands so granted are the
last to advance. Population calculated to be about
150.
fVhitton . 26. Projected only.
Wooburn . 33. In the disputed territory.
Wolfestown. 12. The north-west part of this
township is tolerably good, but the other half is little
but a chain of rocky heights, good for nothing.
Wootten. 10. West of Wolfestown. Not yet
surveyed.
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
The last great division of Lower Canada is the
district of Montreal, having the already described
districts of Three Rivers and St. Francis to the
east, Upper Canada to the west, the States of New
York and Vermont to the south, and on the north,
extending to the territory of the Hudson’s Bay Com-
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL. 31
pany. The general characteristic of the settled
portion of this immense tract is that of being low
and level. Towards the State of New York, it is
somewhat mountainous, and two or three moun-
tains occur on the east side of the Chambly river ;
in the north section of this district there is a ridge
of mountains, the continuation of a chain, commenc-
ing about 30 miles below Quebec, and running
along in a direction west-south-west, at no very
great distance from the St. Lawrence, finishes at
the river Ottawa, about 40 leagues above Montreal,
that is about the township of Hull. The southern
part of this district is daily becoming of more im-
portance from the advancing settlement of the coun-
try, the making of roads, and the Chambly canal,
connecting lake Champlain with the St. Lawrence.
The northern part, particularly those townships
fronting the river Ottawa up to JEIqtl, where the
river is broken by two falls, one of 26 feet high,
are also favourably situate and must become valu-
able. For the sake of clearness and also to avoid
repetition, we shall divide this district into north
and south, each division including all the townships
on the north or south of the St. Lawrence respec-
tively.
Abercrombie . 39. North. Quality of the soil
bad and not worth cultivating, generally; it is pretty
well watered, and in some parts, some good land
and meadows are to be found.
32
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
Aberford . 2. North. Fronting the river, but
high up, and not yet surveyed.
Acton . 50. South. Is watered by two larger
branches of the Yamaska river. The land is low
and swampy. No part is yet settled.
Aldfield. 12. North. In the rear of Onslow.
Not surveyed.
Amherst . 28. North. Quite a rear township,
and not surveyed.
Arundell. 29. Adjoining Amherst, and not sur-
veyed.
i Harford. South. See district St. Francis.
Barnston . 67. South. On the boundary line
between Canada and Vermont. Where the surface
of this township presents a succession of hill and
valley, the soil is for the most part good, and very
favourable for the cultivation of grain, and other
ordinary crops. Some marshes are found in the
lower parts ; the timber is of almost every sort ; it
is well watered by small rivers and lakes, and has a
population of about 1600, chiefly settled on the
western side, with several schools, corn-mills, saw-
mills, &c.
Beresford. 36. North. In the rear of Aber-
crombie. Not surveyed.
Bolton. 60. South. Having the lake Mem-
phremagog on the east. The surface is uneven and
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
33
a little mountainous, being cut by a chain of heights
from north to south, from which many small streams
descend east to the lake, and west to the river Ya-
rn ask a. The lands in the lower parts are of tolerable
good quality, those to the west are the best. It is
one of the first-formed townships, and has a popu-
lation of 1000, with a corn-mill, five saw-mills,
several schools, asheries, &c., and has some roads
communicating with the other townships.
Brandon. 42. North. Is situate in the rear of
several fertile seigneuries, and in rather a favourable
position, but wanting roads ; most of the land is
well spoken of, though towards the back it is moun-
tainous ; part of it borders on the lake Maskinonge,
which is well stored with excellent fish, and near it
about 20 settlers have fixed. The timber is mostly
good, particularly the pine.
Bristol . 16. North. The third from Hull, and a
front township. It is but little known, although it
has 33 settlers on it.
Brome. 59. South. Part of the land in this
township is good, but the rest is very mountainous
and rocky ; the best part is toward Lake Brome in
the south-east, where it is pretty well settled. To
the north-west ; where it is mountainous, good iron
ore is found in abundance ; many streams fall into
the lake, which present many opportunities for the
erection of mills. The population is upwards of
1300, with seven saw-mills, five schools, &c.
C 5
u
DISTRICT Of MONTREAL.
Buckingham. 26. North. A front township.
The four first ranges surveyed. Towards the river
the land is low, (and it may here be observed, that
the first range of lots in all the front townships
north, are subject to a flood, spring and fall, which
renders them excellent for pasturage, and they are
not without tolerably good land for other purposes.)
Up to the fourth range the land is low and level, and
well timbered ; beyond this it rises into an abrupt
and ridgy surface with an indifferent soil, frequently
so stony and rough as not to be workable. Many
streams descend through it towards the Ottawa,
near whose borders is a large basin, lying for some
distance parallel to the river and running some way
up. Settlement has made some progress, but is
rather retarded by some unsettled lands on the
second range. A corn-mill, two saw-mills, a pot-
tery, ashery, &c. are established. Population 270.
Caenwood . 9. North. A back township not
surveyed.
Chatham. 34. North. Is on the Ottawa, about
55 miles from Montreal, and is the first town-
ship arrived at on the north side of the river. The
half of this township next the river is generally level,
with gentle rises, on which the maple is found, and
the soil is adapted to the production of grain, with
hemp and flax ; rich meadows also occur. The
surface of the back portion is broken and rough.
The soil generally very inferior and stony ; the tim»
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
35
ber is mostly of the best sort, and the pines and oak
are fit for ship-building, and much of it along the
north river is cut and transmitted to market ; besides
that river, it is well watered throughout by the
West river, and many small lakes and streams.
The main road from Montreal to the upper town-
ships runs near the Ottawa, and there are two other
roads, running inwards a considerable way. The
first range, as a matter of course, is the best settled ;
the fifth, sixth, and seventh ranges are unsettled,
principally owing to the reserves being in them ;
beyond that there are a few settled. The population
is rather above 1000. There is a village called
Davisville, two schools, three saw-mills, &c. Ad-
joining this township is a small tract called Chatham
Gore, part of which only has been surveyed. The
surface is mountainous; but much of the land is fit
for culture ; it is a clayey, sandy loam, an excellent
soil for wheat and Indian corn. The timber is
good. It has several small lakes, plentifully stocked
with fine fish, and has three pretty good roads into
the seigneurie of Argenteuil in the front. The set-
tlers are about 400, all Protestant Irish ; have a
church, school, tannery, asheries, &c.
Chertsey. 38. North. Not yet surveyed, but
said to contain some considerable extent of rich
meadow land.
Chichester. 6. North. Not surveyed.
Clarendon . 15. North. The last township on
36
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
the Ottawa, having settlers upon it ; they are about
100, with a corn-mill, a saw-mill, ashery, &c. It is
150 miles from Montreal.
Derry. 21. North. In the rear of Buckingham.
Not surveyed.
Dunham. 63. South. Near the boundary line,
and having the seigneurie of St. Armand between it
and lake Champlain. The high lands are a little
mountainous, and have only a thin soil on rock, but
in the level parts the soil is generally a rich black
mould, mixed here and there with sand. It pro-
duces all kinds of grain in abundance, and in many
places is very fit for hemp and flax ; very little
swampy land, and that easily drained and cleared.
It is well watered, and has many excellent roads to
the neighbouring settlements, and into the State of
Vermont ; it is almost all settled, and contains a
village called Frelitzburg, with a church and chapel,
and 25 houses. The population in the whole is
about 2130; two saw-mills, corn-mill, carding and
fulling-mills, &c.
Eardley. 23. North. Next Hull. The river in
the front of it is very wide, and is called the Chau-
dier, or Kettle lake. The land from the river to the
centre is level, with small elevations, and the quality
is excellent, and fit for all kinds of grain, as well as
hemp and flax. From thence to the back it is hilly ;
the front ranges are well watered, and there are
some small lakes in the interior, but no large river :
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
37
the settlers do not amount to above 160, and they
are mostly from Hull, the adjoining township ; it is
considered to be good location, as the Yankees
would say.
Ely . 53. South. The land in this township is
generally of a medium quality ; the lower lands are
rather wet, but are not useless, and the best sorts of
hard and black timber is found on it ; there are a
few settlers on it, and it is tolerably well watered.
Esher , 4. North. Not surveyed.
Farnham. 58. South. The land is of good
quality generally, though it presents a great variety.
The north-west contains swamps of large extent ;
the best parts are wooded with beech, elm, and
maple ; its situation, however, has raised it to im-
portance ; it is watered by some large branches of
the Yamaska, and has some roads in various direc-
tions, both towards Montreal and Vermont ; there
are two churches, six schools, thirteen saw-mills,
four corn-mills, three carding and three fulling
mills, thirteen asheries, brewery, distilleries, and
other factories.
Godmanchester. 45. South. With its front on
the St. Lawrence, where it expands, and is called
lake St. Francis. A small portion of it at the back is
on the boundary line between Canada and the State
of New York ; it has about 10J miles of frontage to
the lake, and is 12J deep in the broadest part. The
front lands and also those near the Chateauguay river,
38 DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
which divides this and the township of Hinchin-
brook, are low, and in some places rather wet, but
the soil is generally good and rises as it approaches
the interior, where it is of superior quality. The
timber is very good, and much of it has been cut and
taken to market. There is a road on the north side
of the Chateauguay, leading into New York, but
besides that, not much attention has been paid to
the roads. The village of Godmanchester is on the
river La Guerre. The population in the township
was stated, in 1828, to be 1413, but a great many
settlers have proceeded to it since that time. It
has five saw-mills, corn-mills, asheries, &c., and
must be regarded as a valuable tract.
Granby . 54. South. Land in general com-
posed of a blackish marl covered in some places
with fine vegetable soil, which produces good crops
of wheat and other grain ; some parts are particu-
larly calculated for hemp and others for flax ; the
timber is beech, elm, walnut, maple, pine, and
some oak, and is tolerably watered ; not yet settled
to any extent.
Grandison . 35. North. A rear township not
yet surveyed.
Grenville . 33. North. Is the second township
up the Ottawa ; the surface is rather mountainous,
but the small hills and the valleys present good
land, and in many parts it is rich enough for hemp
and flax ; some extensive valleys along the Beaver
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
39
Meadow Creek, and Red River, present the most
advantageous situations for settlers ; it is well wa-
tered with many rivers, and some lakes well filled
with excellent trout ; limestone is found plentifully
on the river Calumet, and a black lead mine on that
river has been worked. The east section is the best
settled, and those who have devoted their attention
to the raising stock have been very successful ;
indeed the country seems particularly adapted to
that purpose. The canal, which takes the name of
the township, passes through it to avoid some dan-
gerous rapids in its front ; the population, including
one village of 50 inhabitants, is about 1900, with a
corn-mill, three saw-mills, three asheries, a pottery,
&c.
Harrington . 31. North. In the rear of Gren-
ville, and not surveyed.
Hastings . 3. North. Last but two, and not
surveyed.
Hatley . 61. South. Lies east of the north end
of lake Memphremagog; the land varies very much,
the surface being irregular and hilly ; the soil to-
wards Ascot and Compton is good, but it is superior
towards the lake, and on all these parts of it there
are many settlements ; towards the middle it is rough
and swampy. The lake Tomefobi is in the eastern
part, eight miles by one, and abounds with an excel-
lent variety of fish ; the whole is well watered, and
has many roads through it to the adjacent town-
40
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
ships, and communicating with those into Vermont.
The settlers amount to 1500 ; with seven corn-mills,
eleven saw-mills, eight schools, six asheries, &c.
Hemmingford. 47. South. On the line between
Canada and New York. This township is divided
into moderate lots, and Bouchette says that a part is
reserved by the Crown to be let on lease. Although
the surface is very irregular, and it is traversed by
high hills, having but a thin coating of soil, there
are many parts where the soil is of a fertile and
superior quality. Some swamps occur in the north-
east and north-west parts, thickly covered with the
wood usually found in them. Upon the hills the
timber is of good quality, and in the second range
the oak and pine are very large, and better than
usual. It is well watered by the river Montreal,
which falls into the Chambly, (or Richelieu) and
by the river Chateauguay, which falls into the St.
Lawrence. The roads, though numerous, are not
highly spoken of as summer routes ; there are many
corn and saw-mills, &c. on the streams, and the
population is about 1000.
Hinchinbrook . 46. South. Lies to the west of
the last named, also on the frontier line ; it is not so
well divided as Hemmingford, the reserves being in
large tracts, or blocks, as they are called; the sur-
face is somewhat like its neighbouring township.
Towards the Chateauguay there are fine valleys and
meadows, well watered by the branches of the river;
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
41
there are also many roads, but not of the first order.
Much timber of fine quality has been cut and sent
to market by the Chateauguay. The population ex-
ceeds 1200, and there are two villages, Hemming-
ford and Huntingdon, with two corn-mills, seven
saw-mills, &c.
Howard. 30. North. Only projected.
Huddersfield . 11. North. In the rear^of Bristol,
and not surveyed.
Hull. 24. North. This is a large township
with its front to the river, and nearly opposite to
Bytown, where the Rideau canal enters the Ottawa.
The mountains in this part approach the river, and
consequently the back part of Hull is but indifferent
for tillage, though it is represented as a good grazing
country. From the sixth range (about one-third) to
the river, it has a soil of exceeding good quality,
producing fine crops of grain. There are not many
swamps, and those but small : the timber on the
hills is very good, and in great variety ; the oak and
pine being very fit for naval purposes. A rich bed
of iron ore has been found, but is not yet worked ;
the Indians have brought down some black lead
ore, which they procured on the Gatineau, a river
which, coming from the north, runs through Hull
and falls into the Ottawa, in the township of Tem-
pleton to the east. Limestone, marble and granite
are abundant in the neighbourhood of the Gatineau,
42
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
This township was commenced in 1800 by Mr. P.
Wright, an American by birth, but of English
parents, from the county of Kent. In 1806, he
obtained a grant of 13,700 acres. The progress made
under the superintendence of this enterprising indb
vidual is truly astonishing, and is a proof of what
might be accomplished in a thousand instances by
perseverance and the employment of capital. There
is on it the village of Wright, containing many good
houses, a church, school, tavern, &c. The township
contains lime-kilns, brick-kilns, saw-mills, corn-
mills, distilleries, &c. The population exceeds
1100 or 1200, besides having sent many settlers
into some of the neighbouring townships.
Kildare. 43. North. Situate in front of Chert-
sey, and in the rear of the seigneuries ; partly set-
tled by some Canadians, who hold the land on the
same tenure as in the seigneuries. The soil is said to
be excellent in the greater part, and the position of
the township is favourable ; most of the timber is
good, and the river L’Assomption, with some inferior
streams, water it.
Kilkenny. 40. North. Is a small tract : the
account given of it is rather unfavourable, but it is
said that it has some good land along the north
river. The first settlers abandoned it for the town-
ship of Acton, on the south ; there are now a few
Irish upon it.
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
43
Kirby . 1. The last township on the north side,
not yet surveyed.
Lochaber. 27. North. It is a front township,
and towards the river is very low and often flooded,
but, in the opinion of Bouchette, capable of being
banked and converted into good meadows. A little
towards the interior there is good convertible land,
but beyond, it is mountainous and barren. Most of
the timber is good, the oak and the pine fit for the
ship-builder. Many rivers and streams run over it,
on which the timber could be floated, and some are
navigable for boats. The settlers are chiefly Scotch,
but it does not appear to have yet attained a large
degree of prosperity.
Lichfield . 14. North. A front township, and
next to Clarendon. Not surveyed.
Mansfield . 13. North. The next to Lichfield.
Not surveyed.
Marsham. 18. North. In the rear of Eardley.
Not surveyed.
Milton . 51. South. The surface of this town-
ship is low and swampy, and requires a continued
system of draining to render it useful ; yet there is
some quantity of good grass land in it.
Onslow . 17. North. The third and fourth
ranges of this township possess to appearance a
good soil, the rest, both next the river and in the
44
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
rear, are stony, poor and swampy. About 30 set-
tlers are on it, with a saw-mill.
Orford. 57. South. Is a little north of Lake
Memphremagog, and has the village of Sherbrook
at its north-east angle. The general aspect of the
country is rough and mountainous, and almost
wholly unfit for culture. In the interior are
some lakes, which continue into the township of
Brompton. Much good timber is found upon it. A
road is to be formed through, connecting some of
the large roads, and the advantages of its locality
has attracted some settlers, who attend principally
to the feeding cattle, but also raise some grain.
Pontefract. 8. North. A rear township, not
surveyed.
Portland. 20. North. In the rear of Templeton,
reported to be mountainous and rocky, but not
known with accuracy ; the river Blanche traverses a
part of it.
Potion. 65. South. Bounded on the east by
Lake Memphremagog. Although hilly and irregular,
the land is generally good, and presents good situa-
tions for the agriculturist. The river Missisqui and
its branches water it well, and on the borders of that
river and on the lake, where the soil is very good,
there are many settlers ; still it does not appear to
have much advanced in the last ten years. There are
no leading roads yet made ; the population just
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
45
exceeds 800, with four saw-mills, carding-mills,
&c. Bog and mountain iron ores are found.
Ponsonby. 44. North. Not surveyed.
Rawdon. 41. North. Between Kilkenny and
Kildare ; mountainous and rough, but the soil
adapted to the cultivation of grain in many parts,
and in some to hemp and flax : it is well watered
and has several good roads through it. The popula-
tion is about 850, chiefly Irish, with four corn-mills,
three saw-mills, eight asheries, &c.
Rippon. 22. North. In the rear of Lochaber.
Not surveyed.
Roocton . 52. South. Only the southern part is
surveyed ; the land is good, and though the low
parts are wet, they are capable of culture, and pro-
duce hard and black wood ; the branches of the
river Yamaska, and other streams, water it; there
are but few settlers yet upon it.
Sheen. 5. North. Not surveyed.
Shefford. 55. South. The face of the country
in this township is uneven, and towards the west it
is mountainous. The soil is almost through the
whole very fertile, but the heights are too stony to
be of much value ; the south-east parts towards
Bolton are the best, and the best settled. Here
there is a village called Frost Village, of 25 houses
and 120 inhabitants; it is well watered by many
branches of the Yamaska and other streams, on
46
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
whose borders are fine meadows and grazing land,
and it is intersected by many routes into the adjoin-
ing townships. The entire population is little less
than 1000, with two churches, eight schools, saw
and corn mills, &c.
Sherrington. 48. South. Is an irregular tract,
nearer to Montreal than any other township. It
offers great variety both in the quality of the soil
and the timber; in the south-west the land rises
gently, and in some places forms considerable emi-
nences. In this part there are various sorts of soil,
but almost all tolerably good ; thickly covered with
beech, elm, maple, and white ash. There are many
swamps to the north-east, some covered with cedar,
and others with black ash, which last would soon
become cultivable, and, on draining, form very
fine meadows. The river La Tortu winds across
the township, and with many small streams water it
well. From the eleventh to the fourteenth range in-
clusive, the land is settled by Canadians, besides
many English settlers on the eighth and ninth
ranges. A Mr. Languedoc has erected a hemp-mill,
and is prosecuting the culture of hemp. The popu-
lation exceeds 3150, and from its vicinity to the
populous city of Montreal, and other advantages, it
will no doubt increase in prosperity. A road passes
through it from the St. Lawrence, to Lake Cham-
plain, by Hemmingford ; and others, which join the
route from La Prairie to St. John’s.
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
47
Stanbridge. 62. South. Presents a great va-
riety of soil and timber. The east part is low, and
rather swampy. Near the north end of lake Cham-
plain, which is there called Missisqui Bay, and by
the river Brochet, the soil is chiefly clay, mixed with
sand. To the east it rises, and is composed of a
rich black and yellow marl, with a little sand. The
river Brochet and its numerous branches sufficiently
water it, and drive many corn and saw mills. It
has also many roads, running in all directions, the
two principal ones running south into the State of
Vermont. It is well settled, particularly to the
north-east. The population is about 1800, with a
village, a school, four corn-mills, nine saw ditto, &c.
Stanstead. 66. South. On the east border of
lake Memphremagog, and the State of Vermont on
the south. It is by far the best of the townships on
the frontier, as well by its situation on the lake, as
by the excellence of the soil and timber ; the latter
is the best hard woods. It contains many uplands,
some of them rather high. The south and easterly
parts are well settled ; and those along the shores
of this fine lake are particularly flourishing. It is
watered by many streams and currents, which are
applied to mill- work. The high road from Quebec
to Vermont passes through; and there are many
others of less importance. It contains two villages ;
Georgeville, near the lake, and Stanstead, near the
boundary line, with a church, nine corn-mills,
48 DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
eighteen saw ditto, seven carding ditto, fifteen
schools, a foundery, asheries, &c.
Stukely. 56. South. Although the surface of
this township is rough, the land in many parts is
but little under the medium quality. It is watered
by streams that fall into the Yamaska, and which
take their rise among the hills about which they
wind. The population has not reached quite 300.
Sutton. 64. South. On the boundary line ; is
composed generally of good land, on which the
operations of agriculture may be pursued to advan-
tage. It has some swamps, but they are easily to
be drained, and converted into good meadows. It
is watered by the river Missisqui, which crosses the
south-east angle, and by many small rivers. There
are many roads in different directions. Population
about 1000, with two corn-mills, three saw ditto, &c.
Iron ore is found, and a forge is erected.
Templeton. 25. North, adjoining Hull. To-
wards the Ottawa the land lies rather low, but the
soil is tolerably good, and favourable to the culture
of grain and roots. Farther back, there is some
very good land on gentle eminences. There is a
road in the front of the township, along which, in
the south-east quarter, some settlements are made ;
the settlers at present, are not above 60. It is
well watered by the rivers Gatineau and Blanche,
and some small streams.
Thorne. 10. North, in the rear of Clarendon.
Not yet surveyed.
DISTRICT OF MONTREAL.
49
Upton. 49. South. Is an irregular shaped
township on the river St. Francis. The land is low
and flat, with large swamps, covered with cedar and
tamarack. Upon the St. Francis and other rivers
that run through it, are some patches of land which,
if cultivated, would produce good crops of grain ;
but in general the soil is not favourable. There are,
however, about 280 settlers on it, and a road runs
through it.
Wakefield. 19. North, in the rear of Hull. Not
surveyed.
Waltham, 7. North. Not yet surveyed.
Wentworth. 32. North, in the rear of Chatham.
Is reported unfit for arable operations, except in the
front adjoining Chatham, where the land is tolerably
good ; but no part of it is settled. The timber is
good, and may be brought to a market by the North
river, which, with other streams, waters the town-
ship.
Wexford . 37. North, and not yet surveyed.
2
D
50
* UPPER CANADA.
Before proceeding briefly to notice the leading
points of consideration in each township as they
occur, it may be allowed to call the attention to the
extent of the two fresh-water Seas, and the St. Law-
rence, along which the province stretches upwards
of 600 miles ; and it would be almost an insult to do
more than merely point the attention of an English-
man to the immense importance of water communi-
cation throughout a country, and with the ocean.
In England, the outlay of millions upon millions
has effected that which, in Canada, is provided
upon an infinitely grander scale, almost fit for use.
And if canals are so valuable in an old and thickly
peopled country, where the roads have been increas-
ing and consolidating for ages, how much more so
when these last cannot be supposed to exist for
generations to come in anything like the proportion
they do in England !
It is, perhaps, not worth while to do more than
allude to a line of not less extent along the river
Ottawa, lake Nipissing, the French river, and the
eastern shore of lake Huron. Little of this line is
at present known ; but there is no doubt that, when
the country on the first-mentioned line is full, this
UPPER CANADA
51
latter, and the tract which it incloses, will be found
worthy of notice. This may be the proper place for
again considering the great importance of fixing on
land as near a navigable water as can be effected, for
the easy transmission of the produce to market, & c.
EASTERN .DISTRICT.
This is the first district, in the Upper Province, on
the St. Lawrence. The surface is level, but not low,
except towards the rivers, by which it is intersected.
The St. Lawrence is navigable for steam-boats only,
for about 30 miles from its eastern end to Cornwall.
From that point, along the remainder of the frontage,
it is broken by rapids, which can only be passed in
small boats, and with great labour in the upward
course, while in the downward course, towards
Montreal, they are carried with alarming velocity,
and considerable risk, against which an insurance
may be effected with a company at Montreal, at one
and a half or two per cent.
The front townships of this and several other dis-
tricts are settled to some extent by those who adhered
to the British cause in the revolutionary war, and
their descendants. The name by which these per-
sons are known and spoken of in Canada is, U. E.
D 2
52
UPPER CANADA.
Loyalists, a term that will be frequently heard in
travelling up the country.
The district is divided into the counties of Glen-
gary, Stormont, and Dundas, each sending two
members to the provincial parliament. The popula-
tion, at the return in 1830, was 19,755. The return
of the amount of assessable property was incomplete.
The Dundas Street (or road) passes through it, near
the river.
Charlottenburg. 11. A front township. Soil re-
ported to be a red loam, with clay and stone. It is
well watered by the river Aux Raisins. Has several
grist and saw mills, and fronts the river St. Law-
rence, which is here called lake St. Francis, and
is uninterrupted by rapids for about 40 miles. Dun-
das-street runs along the front; and steam-boats
run upon the lake St. Francis.
Cornwall . 10. Soil similar to the last. The
river Aux Raisins, with its branches, water it. The
rising town of Cornwall is at the eastern extremity.
This township fronts the St. Lawrence ; but nearly
along the whole it has the formidable rapid of the
Long Saut, making it necessary to carry the produce
intended for the lower market to Cornwall by land.
The Dundas Street traverses it in front. Has many
mills in it.
Finch. 3. A back township. The land generally
may be called good. The front part is a black loam,
but the rear is rather sandy, and it is but thinly
EASTERN DISTRICT.
53
settled. The river of La Petite Nation (called the
Nation, for shortness), crosses the back part, and runs
into the Ottawa. On it there is a saw-mill and a
grist-mill.
Kenyon. 5. A rear township, with a good soil of
loam and clay. It is well watered by small streams,
but, being level, has few opportunities for mill-seats.
Lochiel. 6. Also a rear township. It is well
settled. The land in front is low and stony. In the
rear it is rich and good. Watered by the rivers La
Grasse and De Lisle, on which there are grist and
saw mills. A road leading from the town of Corn-
wall to the Ottawa runs across this township. The
lands in this township, which belong to the Canada
company, are described as being rather wet.
Lancaster . 12. A front township on the St.
Lawrence, where it is navigable, and on the bound-
ary line between the two provinces. Generally low
land, but good. Soil, clay and loam. Well settled.
The rivers Baudet, De l’lsle, and other smaller
streams, water it, on which there are mills. Dundas-
street runs through it, somewhat removed from the
St. Lawrence. Some of the Canada company’s land
in the ninth range or concession is described as
being of indifferent quality.
Matilda. 7. Is a front township. Soil mostly
productive. Black loam, clay, and sand. A brancii
of the Nation river runs through it at the back.
54
EASTERN DISTRICT,
The St. Lawrence in front is rapid, but from that
cause may be made use of in parts for mill work ;
and there are already two.
Mountain . 1. Is in the rear of the last-men-
tioned. The land is reported to be generally excel-
lent,— mixed loam and clay. The river Nation runs
in the front, and branches of that river run through
it. In the front are some thriving settlements,
with mills, and tolerable roads for such anew coun-
try. The value of these last two townships will be
increased if a water communication can be effected
between the St. Lawrence and the Nation, which
has been contemplated.
Osnabruck, or Osnaburg . 9. This is a front town-
ship, next above Cornwall. The front part is sandy,
but farther back has a good soil of loam and clay.
Is watered by the river Aux Raisins, and has two
mills on a creek of the St. Lawrence. Dundas-street
runs through its front.
Roxborough . 4. Much of this township is swampy :
soil is a black loam and clay, and part is stony to
the westward. A branch of each of the rivers Aux
Raisins and Nation take their rise in it, but other-
wise it is but scantily watered. In the front there
are a few settlers, with a grist and a saw mill.
Williamsburg . 8. In front, where it is well
settled, and partially so through great part, gene-
rally good land ; watered by some creeks ; but no
EASTERN DISTRICT.
55
river of any consequence, nor mills except in front.
Dundas Road runs through it near the river.
Winchester . 2. At the back of the last named.
Land in general good ; soil, loam mixed with sand ;
swampy in parts ; but very few settlers on it, and of
course has no roads : has only a saw-mill at the
corner next Osnabruek. The river Nation crosses it,
which in winter serves as a road to the Ottawa.
JOHNSTOWN DISTRICT.
This district is w est of the last, and fronts the St.
Lawrence, which, for the greatest part, is free of
rapids; so that the navigation is uninterrupted to
Kingston, the principal commercial town in the pro-
vince, and every part of Lake Ontario ; besides
which, the Rideau Canal runs through most of the
back townships. As this canal is principally a con-
tinuation of lakes and rivers, it is to be expected that
there is no complaint of want of water. The author
of ‘Statistical Sketches of Upper Canada,’ says,
‘ The greater part of this district and the Bathurst
district is perhaps the least productive region in the
whole province, and probably would not have been
settled half so well had it not been for fortuitous cir-
cumstances.’ However, the character of each town-
ship, as given by the corporation inspectors, follows ;
56
JOHNSTOWN DISTRICT.
and the advantageous position it occupies will at
once be seen on the map, which, together with the
amount of population, would seem to indicate, that,
if the soil is not of the very first quality, there are some
other advantages which are equivalent. Between
the Rideau Lake in the townships of Burgess and
Elmsley and the St. Lawrence, much of the ground
is low and marshy ; and it is here that the fever and
ague is likely to dispute possession with the settlers.
The front and east part are the best settled. It is
divided into the counties of Grenville and Leeds,
each of which sends two members to Parliament.
The population was, in 1830, 20,417 ; and the
assessment 250,964 /.
Augusta. 17. A front township ; has a good soil
for the most part. The town of Prescot, a place of
considerable trade and ready market for produce, is
in it, by the St. Lawrence, which here ceases to be
interrupted with rapids. Good roads to the back,
besides the Bundas Road in front, and a ferry across
to the American town of Ogdensburg.
Bastard . 8. The soil of this township is described
as generally good. The Rideau Canal runs through
it diagonally, thereby giving it a value which needs
not to be enlarged upon.
Burgess. 2. Is of an indifferent cast altogether.
The Rideau Lake covers a considerable part of its
southern section.
Crosby {north). 1. Quite in the rear. The soil
JOHNSTOWN DISTRICT.
57
is good, but it does not possess any large stream :
however, when more settled, and roads made to the
canal, it cannot be said to be in a bad or very indif-
ferent position.
Crosby (south). 7. Lies in front of the last
named. Its soil is pronounced to be good. It has
no leading stream, but, like North Crosby, it has a
small lake or two in it, and its position is certainly
better, as the Rideau Canal runs through part of it.
Edwardsburg . 18. A front township on the St.
Lawrence, which, however, is not navigable for
steam-boats in its front. It is well settled next the
river, where the town of Johnstown, the capital of
the district, is situate : joins the township of Au-
gusta, with the town of Prescot near its boundary,
and possesses a good soil.
Elizabeth Town. 16. In front, joining Augusta ;
possesses a good soil, and free navigation in front ;
is rapdily settling and improving. In this township
is the town of Brockville, which has a population of
1130, and returns a member to Parliament. It is
perhaps the best built town in Upper Canada.
There is a large grist-mill near it ; and this neigh-
bourhood may be described as advantageously situ-
ate and flourishing.
Elmsley. 3. Possesses but an indifferent soil. It
is situate in the rear of the district, and has the
Rideau Lake in it, with part of the canal.
D 5
58
JOHNSTOWN DISTRICT.
Gower (north). 6. The soil is described as good*,
and it is crossed by the Rideau River and Canal.
Gower (south). 12. The same character as the
last. Rideau at the upper end.
Kitley . 9. Has but an indifferent soil ; the canal
passes through its north-west corner.
Lansdown. 14. In front : soil described as in-
different in general, nor does it appear to possess any
prominent advantages beyond its frontage on the
St. Lawrence, with uninterrupted navigation.
Leeds . 13. The adjoining township, also in front ;
soil similar. A lake of considerable size lies in this
and the township of Lansdown, which is contem-
plated to be connected with the Rideau Canal. A
stream from this lake runs through Leeds into the
St. Lawrence, at the village of Gannonoqui, where
it has a fall of twenty feet, and is made use of to
drive machinery of various kinds, as saw and grist
mills, turning lathes, &c., and the power is very ex-
tensive. This is a thriving and very improving
neighbourhood, and within a short distance of King-
ston.
Marlborough. 5. Is a rear township, the soil of
which is pronounced generally good ; and its situa-
tion is good also. The Rideau Canal traverses its
lower end, and various branches of that river water it.
Montague . 4. Is the adjoining township to the
JOHNSTOWN DISTRICT.
59
west : the soil is not of such a character as Marl-
borough, but is, nevertheless, fair upon the whole,
it possesses all the advantages of the other in respect
to situation, and perhaps a little more by its vicinity
to the flourishing township of Drummond, in the
Bathurst district, in which is the rising town of
Perth, already arrived at very considerable prosperity
and importance.
Oxford . 11. This township is between Marl-
borough and Edwardsburg. The soil is good : the
Rideau Canal traverses its upper end, and it has
good roads through it to Johnstown and Prescot, on
the St. Lawrence.
Wolford. 10. Is also in possession of a soil well
spoken of, and possesses all the advantages of the
last-mentioned township.
Yonges. 15. This township is in front, on the
St. Lawrence. The soil is pronounced good, and
its situation must undoubtedly be pronounced good
also.
OTTAWA DISTRICT.
This district is divided into the counties of Prescot
and Russell ; at present incorporated, and sending
only one member (o the Provincial Parliament. The
population in 1830 was 3833.
Its front is on the Ottawa river, which is navigable
60
OTTAWA DISTRICT.
for steam-boats through the whole distance, except
at the lower end fronting* Hawkesbury, east ; where
are situate the rapids ; to avoid which the Grenville
Canal has been constructed. The settlers are chiefly
along the front. A large portion of it appears to be
in the hands of absentee proprietors, (by which is to
be understood persons not in America,) which greatly
retards the settlement of any tract. The advan-
tages of its situation, so near (Montreal) the mercan-
tile metropolis, the tine navigation in front, and also
on its western border, point this district out as valu-
able. The first tow nship, in alphabetical order, is
Alfred . 5. Much of it is swampy, but capable of
being made good laud for tillage, and such as the
French Canadians are very partial to ; the soil other-
wise is rather indifferent — alternately clay and sand.
One road near the centre across it, but is not spoken
very highly of as a summer route. In front, the
want of a road is less felt, by reason of the river,
which serves the purpose of a road both summer
and winter. Several creeks traverse it. At present
no mills are reported.
Caledonia. 8. A rear township ; the greater
part of it low and swampy ; but there is some good
land. Of course the roads are not of a substantial
nature, even what there are. There are no large
streams, nor any mills. Upon the whole, this town-
ship is not advantageous.
Cambridge. 9. In the rear: the soil is generally
OTTAWA DISTRICT.
61
light and sandy. The best lands are at the back,
towards the eastern district ; but there are few, if
any, settlers upon it, and of course no roads. The
river Nation crosses it, and also a large branch ;
both of these will answer the purpose of roads in
winter ; and the time will come when the Nation
will be made navigable to the Ottawa. No mills
erected, but two in neighbouring townships lie
handy.
Clarence. 3. Fronts the Ottawa : soil generally
light and sandy. Settlers principally in front. No
roads, which defect is not much felt in front : no
mills ; but a fine stream, on which many might be
erected, waters the rear.
Cumberland. 2. Fronts the Ottawa. The ge-
neral character of the soil is light or sandy; but it
is said to have much good land in it; has some ex-
tensive swamps, but they are reclaimable. The
settlers are chiefly along the river, some few in the
interior. There are no roads ; but the same stream
which runs through Clarence also crosses this, and
is called Bear Brook, where mills may be erected,
Two saw-mills are already in operation.
Gloucester. 1. Next to the preceding, and front-
ing the Ottawa. The soil towards the Ottawa is
clayey, which is also the character of the back part.
Towards the Rideau River, which divides this dis-
trict from the district of Bathurst, the soil is oravelly.
The settlers are, as might be expected, chiefly along
62
OTTAWA DISTRICT.
the Ottawa and the Rideau. There are some ex-
tensive swamps, which are of the same description
as those in Cumberland. Bear Brook and several
creeks water it, on which there is a saw-mill, and
opportunities for more. There is also a land route
to Bathurst and Johnston districts ; but that seems
to be of small importance compared with the water
communication to the Ottawa. On the whole, this
township may be described as worth the attention of
the emigrant, whether his pursuits are directed to
agriculture or trade.
Hawkesbury (east). 7. Fronting the Ottawa,
and the nearest township in the district to Montreal.
Some accounts say the soil is indifferent, and others
that the lands are generally low, level, and good.
It is thinly settled by the river, which is so rapid,
that boats unload, and their lading is conveyed by
land to the upper end of the Rapids, along a tole-
rably good road ; this, however, is now about to be
remedied by the Grenville Canal. There is also a
road runs through to the Lower Province, but no
others. The river La Grasse runs through the in-
terior, on which there is a saw-mill. The portion of
this township called the Gore is the part next the
boundary-line of Lower Canada.
Hawkesbury (west). 6. Has also its front on the
Ottawa. The soil described by some as like the
last, stony and gravelly, and by others as excellent
land ; is well settled ; has many cross-roads, as well
OTTAWA DISTRICT.
63
as one leading to Cornwall, on the St. Lawrence, on
which the mail travels. Also mills, distilleries,
stores, and other indications of a thriving township,
The Canada Company’s lands are said to be gene-
rally wet, but capable of being drained.
Osgoode. 11. In the rear of Gloucester, and
having the Rideau River and Canal along the wes-
tern border. The land is allowed to be generally of
good quality. Not many settlers in it at present,
but increasing. No roads or mills in it, but some
contemplated : is well watered by the Rideau and
the Casteere, and several branches. Upon the whole,
must be considered a favourable situation.
Plant agenet. 4. Next to Alfred. On the front
has the Ottawa, and runs back to the Eastern Dis-
trict. The soil is various. The front section has
some good land in it, but the greater part is light
and sandy, and a little swampy. On the rear sec-
tion, generally indifferent, light and sandy, with
some extent of spruce swamps. In the front section
is Bear Brook, Horn Creek, and Scotch River.
The roads are but indifferent in summer : the road
to Cornwall passes through the rear section ; the
river Nation runs through it, and on it there are
grist and saw mills. The front to the Ottawa is
pretty well settled, but the rear has but very few.
Russell. 10. A rear township, with an indifferent
soil ; light, sandy, and having large swamps. Appa-
rently not worth attention. The river Casterre and
64
OTTAWA DISTRICT.
its branches water it. There is a saw-mill oil the
river, but few or no settlers. Those who have
visited it appear to have been attracted by the pine-
timber, which they have nearly stripped it of.
BATHURST DISTRICT.
The other district with its front to the Ottawa
River. It is divided into the counties of Lanark and
Carleton, *each of which sends a member to the Pro-
vincial Parliament. Its population in 2 830 was
15,945; and the assessable property estimated at
154,352Z.
Of the particular soil, &c. in the several town-
ships, we have not been able to get an account; but
those we have, and can rely upon, will be given.
One of the deputy surveyors of the province con-
sulted in the course of laying out the Rideau Canal,
concludes his report thus : — ‘ The country through-
out abounds in mill seats, and is excellently watered.
The soil is of the very first quality, either for tillage
or pasture. The rivers and lakes breed many fish,
and there are ores in the hills ;’ and the advancement
in population and settlement appears to confirm this
character *.
* On the contrary, an individual of considerable experience in
the province, says, 4 The greater part of this and the district of
Johnstown is perhaps the least productive region in the whole
province.’ — Statistical Sketches of Upper Canada , p. 66.
BATHURST DISTRICT.
65
Mills are erected on the various streams in most
of the townships, and the roads are improving.
Bathurst 15. A rear township, joining the Johns-
town district : has a lake in it, from which a branch
of the Mississippi River runs to the Ottawa. This
part appears to be flat, and thickly interspersed with
small lakes.
Beckwith . 17. This township is well settled. It
has a lake of some size in it, from which the Mis-
sissippi runs. On the south-eastern shore the soil
is shallow, with a rock of limestone underneath, and
swampy. The land on the shores of the lake are
not generally good. The land on the Indian river
is represented as productive, and well settled.
Dalhousie. 12.
Barling . 4.
Drummond. 16. The soil and advantages of this
township stand well : in it is the town of Perth,
already a place of considerable importance, although
only founded in 1815. It has a population of more
than 400, with churches, chapels, and other public
establishments. It is seated on the Tay River,
which communicates with the Rideau, and may
easily be made available for navigation, and has
tolerable good roads to the St. Lawrence and to the
Ottawa. Its central situation is so good, that it
must advance as a place of trade.
Fitzroy. 6. Fronts the Ottawa, near which it is low
66
BATHURST DISTRICT.
and marshy ; but, beyond the first mile, the land be-
comes more fertile, though not much settled. Seve-
ral good streams run through it.
Goulburn. 18. A rear township, and having a
branch of the Rideau river running through it.
Horton. 1. The last in the district on the Ottawa,
and not described.
Huntley . 9. Well settled, and good land. The
river Carp runs across it into the Ottawa.
Lanark. 11. The lake and river Mississippi
water this township, which is well settled and flou-
rishing.
Lovat . 3. A rear township.
M'Nab. 2. With its front on the Ottawa;
granted to a Highland chief of that name, who has
many of his north countrymen around him, and de-
votes much attention to the lumber business.
March. 8. Its front is on the Ottawa, and it
joins the township of Nepean.
Nepean. 19. This township fronts the Ottawa,
and is well settled. The Rideau Canal leaves the
river Rideau about eight miles from its mouth, and
runs through a portion of Nepean to the Ottawa,
where the important town named after the com-
manding engineer. By Town, is situated. It has
already attained a considerable size and population,
and must, from its situation, rise into a place of
the first importance. A fort is to be built, and a
BATHURST DISTRICT.
67
garrison maintained here. A bridge across the
o
Ottawa, connecting several islands which lay above
the falls, communicates with the township of Hull on
the north side, and in the Lower Province. There
is a constant communication by steam-boat between
By Town and Montreal in the summer.
Pakenham. 5. The river Mississippi runs through
it ; and, for four or five miles on each side, the land
is described as particularly good ; it abounds with
innumerable brooks and rivulets.
Ramsey. 10. Well settled and productive : same
river traverses it.
Sherhrook {north). 13. Generally low and flat,
with many small lakes.
Sherhrook {south). 14. Generally low and flat,
with many small lakes.
Torhotton. 7. With its front upon the Ottawa,
and adjoining Fitzroy.
MIDLAND DISTRICT.
This district is divided into four counties, viz., Fron-
tenac, Lennox and Haddington, Hastings, and
Prince Edward ; each sending two members to the
Provincial Parliament. The population in 1830 was
34,190, and the assessable property rated at 505, 511Z.
This is the most populous and richest district in
68
MIDLAND DISTRICT.
Upper Canada, as well as the first settled, particu-
larly in front and along the Bay of Quinte, great
part of which was taken up by the United Empire
loyalists upon the close of the revolutionary contest.
It may be remarked, that these lands naturally exhi-
bit signs of exhaustion, not producing in that abun-
dance which lands less worked do : still their local
situation on the beautiful bay, from one to ten miles
broad, and navigable by steam-boats for upwards of
ninety miles, reckoning the windings, and being
cleared, and brought into a state approaching the
agricultural aspect of England, it may be well worth
the consideration of the emigrant of science and some
capital, whether the advantages of situation do not
more than compensate for the deficiency in the pro-
ductiveness of the soil, which, perhaps, under judi-
cious management, and by the help of materials
within reach, may be restored. The district is more
or less settled for a considerable way back. The
western portion of it is the best watered. It has
many good roads in various directions in the front
and settled parts. The townships between the bay
and the lake are said to be very subject to the fever
and ague.
Adolphustown. 37. Soil generally of good qua-
lity, and the situation very advantageous, being nar-
row, and having the bay on each side.
Ameliasburg. 32. Has a soil for the most part
good, excepting a few swamps. It has the bay on
MIDLAND DISTRICT.
69
its north, and the ?ake on its south frontier, and a
canal is in contemplation, to effect a communication,
which will add to the already excellent situation of
this tract.
Anglesea. 4. Is quite a back township, not yet
surveyed.
Baric . 5. Adjoins the above, and is not known.
Bedford. 20. In the third range. The soil
rather indifferent and swampy.
Camden . 25. Soil generally good : the Napanee
river, a large and improvable stream, running into
the Bay, crosses its lower end.
Clarendon . 6. One of the last range of town-
ships ; not known.
Elzevir. 10. A rear township ; soil bad.
Earnest Town. 29. With a soil of good quality,
and advantageously situate, with its front to the
lake, and adjoining the township of Kingston.
Fredericsburg. 28, West of the above, and pos-
sessing the same character, both in soil and situa-
tion, to the lake.
Grimsthorp. 3. A back township ; not de-
scribed.
Hallowell. 35. Possesses a soil in general good,
and is very advantageously situate on the lake, and
also partly to the bay.
70
MIDLAND DISTRICT.
Hillier. 33. Soil good generally, with the excep-
tion of some swamps ; is well situate on the lake.
HinchinhrooJc. 19. A rear township, with an in-
different soil.
Huntingdon . 16. Not bearing a very good cha-
racter as to soil, and the situation indifferent.
Hungerford . 17. Adjoining the last-named on
the east. The soil generally bears a bad character,
and the situation not tempting.
Kalador. 11. Soil bad; situation not advan-
tageous.
Kenehec. 12. Soil bad, and situation also.
Kingston . 30. The soil of this township is de-
scribed as good generally. It has some stony or
rocky portions, principally towards the lake. The
important town of Kingston, with a population of
3635, according to the census, but probably nearer
5000, is in this township. It sends a member to
Parliament. The naval dep6t, with the forts for its
defence, are in its immediate neighbourhood, and a
regiment has always its head-quarters here. This
town, from the advantages of situation, will always
maintain the first commercial rank. Of course good
land in this township is valuable.
Lake. 1. A back township, not known.
Loughborough . 27. Soil only of the middling
MIDLAND DISTRICT.
71
quality ; and contains several small lakes and
swamps : is subject to the fever and ague.
Madox. 9. A back township, but possessing a
soil generally good.
Marmora. 8. A rear township ; soil rather in-
different. It has the Marmora iron works situate in
it, to which there are roads from the lake, and a
branch of the river Trent traverses it.
Marysburg . 36. Generally good soil, excepting
some swamps. Its situation is undeniable.
Olden. 13. Not described.
Oso. 14. Not described.
Pittsburg. 31. Has some very good land in it,
though the greater part has an indifferent character.
It fronts the St. Lawrence, there called the Lake of
the Thousand Isles ; and also has the Rideau Canal
crossing it obliquely.
Palmerston. 7. Unknown.
Portland. 26. Soil but middling, and has
swampy and unhealthy portions in it. The Na-
panee river crosses it.
Bawdon 15. Is generally good as to soil to-
wards the front ; and in the rear it is bad. It is
situate in front of Marmora. The road to the iron
wrorks runs through it ; and it has some branches
of the Trent crossing it.
Richmond. 24. Has its front upon the bay,
72
MIDLAND DISTRICT.
towards which the soil is generally good, and but
very indifferent towards the rear. The Salmon river,
an improvable stream, crosses it.
Sheffield. 18. Soil rather indifferent, and situa-
tion the same.
Sidney. 21. Soil generally good, and it is very
advantageously situate, with its front on the bay,
and the river Trent running along its western bor-
der, which is to be made navigable forthwith.
Sophiasburg . 34. Soil generally good, excepting
some swamps : situation good, being partly border-
ing on the lake, and partly on the bay.
Thurlow. 22. Soil generally good ; fronts the
bay, and has the river Moria running through it.
The flourishing town of Belleville is on the east side
of the river at its mouth.
Tudor . 2. Quite a rear township, and unknown.
Tyendinaga , or Mohawk. 23. Soil reported to
be generally poor : fronts the bay, and has the Sal-
mon river running through it.
NEWCASTLE DISTRICT.
This is the next district upwards, and fronts the
lake : its population at the census in 1830 was
14,851 ; and the assessable property was estimated
NEWCASTLE DISTRICT.
73
at 193,990/. It is divided into the counties of Dur-
ham and Northumberland ; each of which sends two
members to the Provincial Parliament. It is well
watered by the Rice, Balsam, Trout, Sturgeon, and
other lakes, and the Ottanabee and Trent rivers and
other streams, which disperse themselves about;
and, by connecting them, a communication by
water will shortly be opened from Lake Simcoe to
the Bay of Quinte, by which the interior of this dis-
trict will be greatly benefited. This district already
possesses two harbours on the lake, Cobourg and
Port Hope, and many bays and creeks, on which
more may be placed when needful. The Dundas
road runs along its front, and there are other roads
in the direction of the Rice Lake.
Alnwick. 20. Is a new township on the Rice
Lake : soil bad, and not settled.
Asphodel . 19. Soil generally good ; pretty well
settled, and has the river Trent running through it.
Belmont . 13. Soil rather indifferent; but it is
well watered, and joins the township of Marmora, in
which the iron works are situated.
Burleigh. 5. Quite a back township, with a very
indifferent soil, and not well watered nor settled.
Cartwright. 14. Soil very indifferent ; indiffer-
ently watered, and not many settlers. Its situation
not very remote.
Cavan . 16. Has a good soil ; is well settled and
2 E
74
NEWCASTLE DISTRICT.
watered. Has many mill-seats, and some at work ;
also two distilleries, and many stores in the town-
ship. Chiefly settled by Protestant Irish : not far
from the Rice Lake.
Clark. 24. Fronting the lake. The soil is ge-
nerally of excellent quality ; but it is not well settled,
by reason of much of the land belonging to ab-
sentees.
Cramah . 28. Fronting the lake ; has much bad
land in it. It is well watered, and has the village
of Newcastle on the lake shore in it.
Darlington. 23. Fronting the lake. The soil is
generally good, and the surface undulating. Some
streams run through it into the lake ; but as much
of it is the property of absentees, settlement has not
made much progress.
Douro. 10. The soil is described as good. There
are many swamps in the township, which is not
well settled : it is well watered.
Dummer. 11. Lies to the east of the last-
named : soil generally bad, though some good por-
tions may be found towards the front. It is badly
watered, and has no settlers on it.
Eldon. 1. Not known yet.
Emily , 8. Possesses a soil generally good :
most part of it is level, and towards the rear there
are swamps and some beaver meadows. It is well
watered, and has two good mill-seats, and some
NEWCASTLE DISTRICT.
75
tolerable roads. It is well settled. The township
of Ennismore, or Gore of Emily, is perhaps the best
part.
Fenelon. 2. A remote township, and little known
of it.
Hamilton. 26. Has a great portion of bad land
in it, being a mixture of sand and clay in various
proportions, as the ground is more or less elevated,
the sand predominating on the high lands ; but the
greater part is good. A large portion is held by
absentee proprietors, which has retarded the settle-
ment, except towards the lake and the township of
Hope to the west. A capital road runs through it
to the Rice Lake. The town of Cobourg is situate
in this township, on the lake, where a harbour has
been made, by running out piers into the bay. In
it are churches, chapels, court-house, post-office,
inns, &c. &c. ; several mills and manufacturing
trades. In its neighbourhood are many handsome
houses and establishments. Cobourg is, altogether,
a thriving place, and has great intercourse with the
opposite or American shore of the lake, both by
steamers and schooners. The society is of quite a
superior caste.
Haldimand . 27. Fronts the lake: soil is bad in
general ; but it is well watered, and settled in front.
No good flour-mills.
Harvey. 4. Soil not good. Quite a rear town-
ship ; not settled.
E 2
76
NEWCASTLE DISTRICT.
Hope. 25. In front, on the lake : soil generally
good; and well settled, particularly towards its front.
The town of Port Hope is on the lake, within eight
miles of Cobourg. It is built in a valley, through
which runs the river Hope, or Smith’s Creek: on
this stream, which has a considerable fall, several
mills are built; and there are churches, schools,
taverns, stores, and all the indications of a thriving
place ; and its vicinity to the town of Cobourg
makes it desirable on the score of sociability. Much
trade is also carried on with the Americans.
Manvers. 15. Soil very bad, and altogether dis-
advantageous.
Methune . 12. Nearly the same character as the
last-named, and more remote.
Mariposa. 6. Soil generally good, and is well
watered, but not yet settled.
Monaghan. 17. Has a soil generally good. The
town of Peterborough is in this township, on the
Otanabee river: it was commenced in 1825, by
some of the poorest class of Irish from Cork ; it
stands well at the head of navigation, with mill-
power to any extent, and they have already saw,
flour, and carding mills, distillery and tannery, in
regular work; and most probably have now a steam-
boat on Rice Lake. Tolerable good roads lead to
Cobourg on the lake.
Murray. 29. With its front on the lake, the Bay
NEWCASTLE DISTRICT.
77
of Quinte touching its eastern side, and the river
Trent in the rear ; thus being encompassed on three
sides by navigable water. The soil is generally of
good quality : it has but few mill-seats, as the waters
are level ; consequently, more valuable as canals.
Ops. 7. Soil good, loam upon clay : has some
extensive swamps towards the north-east. The
Scugog river traverses it, and affords excellent mill-
seats. It is described as one of the finest town-
ships in this part of the country ; still it is but very
thinly settled, and consequently no roads.
Otanabee. 18. Soil generally good, loam upon
clay ; lays north of the Rice Lake. It is but par-
tially settled : but when the projected improvements
in the navigation of the country between Lake Sim-
coe and the Bay of Quinte are complete, no doubt it
will fill fast. There are some swamps in it, and the
shores of the Rice Lake are sandy. It has several
roads leading towards Lake Ontario.
Percy. 21. Has a good soil, and the river Trent
and its branches running through it : the surface is
pretty level, and therefore has but few mill-seats;
but its situation is advantageous : partly settled.
Seymour. 22. Joining the above to the east,
and is of much the same character, but has fewer
settlers.
Smith. 9. Lies between the mud or shallow
lake, and the Otanabee river. The soil is generally
good (loam), but rocky on the north-east. Gene-
78
HOME DISTRICT.
rally well settled. The waters abound with fish, the
salmon-trout from 30 to 40 lbs. in weight.
Verulam. 3. Soil not very good ; is well wa-
tered, but very remote, and not settled.
HOME DISTRICT.
This district lies at the western end of Lake On-
tario, along which its front stretches for fifty miles,
and is broken into many bays ; the principal of
which are, Whitby, or Windsor Bay, in the township
of Windsor, and Big Bay, in the township of Picker-
ing, besides the harbour of York. Its back front is
on the eastern branch of Lake Huron, called the
Georgian Bay, and it includes in its boundaries
Lake Simcoe, which is 28 miles long, and 25 broad.
It is divided into the counties of York and Simcoe ;
the first sending two members, and the latter one
member to the Provincial Parliament. The last re-
turns in 1830 gave the population at 28,565, and
the assessable property at 410,367£. ; whereof only
2117, and 22,578 l. appertained to the county of
Simcoe.
The corporation inspectors do not appear to have
reported on the individual townships composing this
district. There is, however, less difficulty in ascer-
taining the nature and quality of the soil, owing to
HOME DISTRICT.
79
its comparative full settlement, especially the county
of York and around Lake Simcoe.
The land towards Lake Ontario is not generally
good, being sandy, and producing much pine. This,
however, soon gives way to hard wood and fine land,
continuing with little or no interruption to Lake
Simcoe, which is much elevated above Lake On-
tario. The rivers Humber, Etobicoke, and many
others which run into Lake Ontario, water the
southern portion, while the Nottawasaga and others
running into Lakes Huron and Simcoe, water the
northern half. All these abound with fish, among
which is abundance of salmon, which are to be caught
in all the creeks and bays at this end of the lake.
As this district contains York, the seat of the
Provincial Government, and consequently the place
of residence of the chief officers, both civil and
military, with all that usually attends upon a
metropolis and large population, its lands are
valuable, especially in the county of York. Much
of the produce of a farm, as meat, poultry,
butter, eggs, &c., find a ready sale at higher prices
than in any other district. Much of the land is the
property of half-pay officers and others, some of
whom are cultivators, and others let it ; and per-
haps many emigrants conversant with agriculture
would find it more to their advantage to hire a farm
here than to clear one for themselves. There are
many good roads, besides the Dundas Street, which
continues round the head of the lake ; a main road
80
HOME DISTRICT.
leads from York to Gwilliamburg, on Lake Sim-
coe, 32 miles.
Many of the old settlers in this district are, from
the increased value of land, disposed to sell their
cleared farms, and, with the money, purchase a
larger tract of uncleared land, in order to provide
farms for an increased family. The agriculturist of
moderate capital is recommended, by most writers
on Canadian affairs, to prefer a partially cleared
farm, at a moderate price, to wild land at a low
price, especially if he comes from a highly-cultivated
county of England; and the reasons on which such
advice is founded will immediately occur on reflec-
tion. The river Credit, which runs through the
townships of Caledon, Chinguacoucy, and Trafal-
gar, in the Gore district, is immediately to be made
navigable ; and the line of navigation from Lake
Simcoe to the Bay of Quinte, when complete, must
greatly increase the value of this part of the country.
Adjala. 31.
Flos. 8.
Albion. 39,
Georgiana. 22.
Alta. 2.
Gwilliamburg (East). 34.
Amarant. 29.
Gwilliamburg (West). 33.
Artemesia. 15.
Gwilliamburg (North). 21
Brock. 38.
Innisfull. 20.
Essa. 19.
Java. 3.
Etobikoke. A.
King. 40.
Euphrasia. 14.
Luther. 28.
HOME DISTRICT.
SI
Mara. 24.
^ Scarborough. 46.
Markham. 41.
Scotts. 37.
Matchadash. 7.
Sunnidale. 4.
Medonto. 9.
Tay. 6.
Melancthon. 26.
Tecumseth. 32.
Mona. 30.
Thora. 23.
Merlin. 17.
Tiney. 5.
Mulmur. 27.
Toronto (Gore of), b.
Newmarket. 35.
Tossorondio. 18.
Orillia. 10.
Uxbridge. 42.
Oro. 12.
Vaughan. 44.
Osprey. 16.
Vespra. 11.
Pickering. 47.
Whitby. 48.
Proton. 25.
Whitchurch. 36.
Rama. 13.
Zero. 1.
Reach. 43.
York. 45. In this township is seated the town
of York, the metropolis of Upper Canada. It is laid
out like most of the
towns in America, in wide
streets, crossing at right angles, and the early part
is constructed of wood
; but bricks are now taking a
decided lead, and in a
few years the former will bear
no sensible proportion
to the latter. The harbour
is formed by a point
of land running out into the
lake, and enclosing an
almost circular basin of more
than a mile and a half diameter, and from two and
E 5
82
GORE DISTRICT.
a half to four fathoms deep. The entrance channel
has two and a half fathoms ; and there is a light-
house on the point. Most of the public edifices are
plain and handsome, but particularly the Parliament
House and Offices recently completed ; it faces the
lake, and is truly a noble pile of buildings of brick,
enriched with stone. In this town is to be found
good society, and many of the luxuries and ele-
gancies of civilized Europe, and but few, if any, of
the essentials are wanting to the enjoyment of life.
The population is stated, in the return of 1830, to be
2860 ; but it far exceeds that now, being probably
nearer 4000. It returns one member to the House
of Representatives.
GORE DJSTRICT.
This, and the three districts of Niagara, London,
and the Western, are classed together in the follow-
ing description by the surveyor-general : ‘ The
variety of soils, "and the diversity of their combina-
tions, are by no means so great as might be ex-
pected in so extended a region. The whole tract is
alluvial in its formation, and chiefly consists of a
stratum of black, and sometimes yellow loam;
above which is deposited, when in a state of nature,
a deep and rich vegetable mould ; the substratum
GORE DISTRICT.
83
beneath the bed of loam being generally a grey or
blue clay, which in some parts appears at the sur-
face, and, intermixed with sand, constitutes the
super-soil. This species, and a sandy loam, highly
fertile in its properties, appear to predominate in the
districts of Gore and Niagara. The almost total
absence of stones and gravel within the greatest
arable depth, is a peculiar feature of the generality
of land in the Upper Province, which has been felt
as a serious inconvenience by the inhabitants, in the
progress of their rural improvements, whatever may
be its probable advantage as facilitating some of the
operations of husbandry. There are, however, nu-
merous and extensive quarries of limestone to be
found in most of the townships of these districts,
that supply the farmers with excellent materials for
building : freestone is also found, but in small quan-
tities, and generally along the shores of the lakes.’
The whole tract presents, in general, to the eye
vast forests of a great variety of lofty trees, upon
level, and sometimes swampy land. ‘ In the heart
of these dense woods, and on the borders of the
rivers, extensive plains suddenly present themselves,
that lay open to the view a beautiful area of natural
meadow, often expanding to several thousand acres
in extent, and delightfully relieved by occasional
clumps of lofty pine, white oak, and poplar.’ The
Canada Company’s tract of Guelph lies in the centre
of this district, and they have also a tract on each
side of the township of Wilmot, N. and S. 8. The
84
GORE DISTRICT.
whole is well watered by the rivers Ouse and Credit,
and numerous small streams in all directions. Round
the head of the lake, which is called Burlington
Bay, there are a series of hills ; and M‘Taggart de-
scribes those of Ancaster to be the finest of sheep-
walks, and even gives it as his opinion, that as fine
wool might be produced here as in Australia.
Mr. Richards, who was sent out by the Colonial
Office to inspect the provinces of Canada, concurs
in his report with the opinion of the surveyor-gene-
ral, upon this section of the Upper Province ; and
M‘Taggart concludes his description of this part
thus : ‘ Burlington Bay and the adjoining country is
the loveliest part of civilized Canada/ The district
is divided into the counties of Halton and Went-
worth, each sending two members ; the popu-
lation is 20,945 ; and the assessable property
3 1 837 3 8 L
Ancaster. 20.- Soil sandy on the hills, and clay
in the lower grounds : has many excellent roads
and mills, &c. The village of Ancaster is situate
near the centre of the township.
Barton, b. Has its front upon Burlington Bay.
Soil clay and sand. Hamilton, the county-town for
this district, is situate near the centre of the town-
ship. It has a handsome stone court-house,
churches, schools, stores, mills, &c. &c. : good
roads pass through it.
GORE DISTRICT.
85
Beverley. 15. Soil, clay and sand ; but is not at
present provided with roads or mills.
Binbrook . c. Is a back township. The soil is
chiefly clay, but does not possess either roads or
mills.
Caledon. 7. Surface hilly ; soil generally good ;
thinly settled : river Credit rises in it.
Chinguacoucy . 13. In front of Caledon ; more
level: well watered, and generally good soil. River
Credit runs through it.
Dumfries. 14. This township is private property,
and, therefore, not noticed in the return of the in-
spectors, but it is reported favourably of. The river
Ouse runs through it, and the Bundas Road crosses
it. The town of Galt is well situated on the river
towards the north end, and much of it is settled.
Eramora. 5. Soil, black sand : lies in the rear,
and is not yet provided with roads or mills.
Erin. 6. Similar to Eramora.
Esquesing. 12. Soil, principally sand, but clay in
some parts; is a rear township, and in want of
roads, mills, &c.
Flamborough. 16. Soil, clay and sand. The
eastern part fronts Burlington Bay, and on the
western side is Bundas Street and Coot’s Paradise,
which, however, is not of the nature its name would
seem to imply, but a swamp of about 300 or 400
acres, which, when the wind is easterly, is flooded
86
GORE DISTRICT.
by the lake. It is the resort of multitudes of wild
fowl; and hence its name, from Coot, a famous
sportsman. M‘Taggart thinks it might make a
good rice-farm, as the wild rice in it is very luxu-
rient. There are many good roads, mills, &c. In
this township is the town of Dundas, situate on the
edge of Burlington Bay, and to which, M‘Taggart
says, ships drawing 20 feet water may be brought,
by improving the navigation.
Garafraxa. 2. Soil, a black sand ; it is the
most remote township in the district, and wants
roads and mills.
Glauford. a. Soil, principally clay ; sand in
places; is a rear township, and wants roads and
mills.
Guelph. 4. The soil of this tract is described by
the Canada Company, to whom it belongs, as excel-
lent, and the whole is fast settling. The town of
Guelph is seated on the Speed, a branch of the
Ouse, eighteen miles north from Galt. It contains
700 or 800 inhabitants, with churches, schools,
stores, saw and grist mills, &c. &c. Roads run from
this tract to Dundas, on the Lake ; also to the Com-
pany’s settlements in Wilmot and in other directions.
Nassagiweya . 11. Soil, black sand; lays in the
rear, and has no roads, nor mills.
Nelson . 17. Has its front on the lake, with a
soil composed of clay and sand. Has in it several
GORE DISTRICT.
87
mills, and the Dandas Street runs through it. The
village of Brantford lies on the side of the lake.
Nichol. 1. Is a remote township, to the north of
Guelph. Its character not known.
Puslinch. 10. A new projected township, and
not reported.
Saltfleet. d . Soil, clay and sand. Has its front
on the lake, and possesses both highways and mills.
Toronto. 19. Fronting the lake, and joining the
Home District. Soil similar to Nelson and Tra-
falgar. Dundas Street runs through it ; also some
branches of the river Credit and other streams.
Trafalgar. 18. Fronts the lake : the soil is clay
and loam. It is watered by the Credit and other
streams applicable to mill purposes and navigation ;
and the Dundas Street runs through it.
Waterloo. 9. An old and populous settlement
between Guelph and Wilmot ; well watered by the
Ouse and its branches ; and the communication be-
tween the Canada Company’s lands must pass
through it.
Wilmot , 8. About half of this township belongs
to the Canada Company, who represent the land as
good ; it has a stream running through it suitable
for milling purposes.
Woolwich. 3. Lies on the north of Waterloo,
and is not included in the reports of the inspectors.
88
NIAGARA DISTRICT.
The position of this district is perhaps as good as
can well be desired : it is a peninsular tract, about
27 miles wide, and 50 long, having Lake Ontario on
the north side, Lake Erie on the south, and the
Niagara river on the east, with the rivers Ouse (or
Grand River) and the river Welland, and the canal
traversing the interior.
This district was early settled by those who adhered
to the British cause and name after the revolutionary
war, and is by far the most thickly inhabited, espe-
cially towards Lake Ontario, of any portion of Upper
Canada ; consequently, the roads are numerous
and good ; and, altogether, it presents a face not
much removed from the appearance pfVemote Eng-
lish counties. It produces fruit in the greatest
abundance and perfection, particularly peaches and
apples.
The importance of this district is also great in a
commercial point of view. The surplus produce of
50,000,000 acres of productive land is destined to
find a market through the Welland Canal to Mon-
treal, or through the Erie Canal to New York ; and
it is not too much to anticipate, that by far the
greater proportion even of the American produce
will take its route from Lake Erie, down Lake On-
tario, and through the Rideau Canal to Montreal,
which can be done in six or seven days without
NIAGARA. DISTRICT.
89
transhipment ; when, by the Erie Canal, it will take
thirteen days to reach New York, and a transhipment
at each end of the canal. But there is still another
feature of importance to commerce, which is, the in-
definite extent of water-power along the line of the
canal, calculated to make this at some future period
the Lancashire of Canada.
It is divided into the counties of Lincoln and
Haldimand; the former sending four members, and
the latter one member to Parliament. The popula-
tion in 1830 wras 20,916, and the assessable property
stated at 354,310/.
Bertie. 17. Soil, clay, black loam, and limestone.
It has Lake Erie on one of its sides, and the river
Niagara on another ; is well settled, and has good
roads throughout, but has no mill-seats. The vil-
lage and fort of Erie is at the entrance of the river
Niagara from Lake Erie ; having the American
towns of Black Rock and Buffalo on the opposite
side of the river : the latter has a large population,
and is a great place of trade.
Caisior. 6. Soil, principally hard clay. The
Chippewa Creek, or Welland, runs through it; but
it is badly watered, is flat and swampy, thinly settled,
and far back.
Canboro. 11. Between the Ouse river and Cais-
tor.
Clinton . 2. Soil, clay, yellow and black loam ;
fronts Lake Ontario ; is not well watered, but has
90
NIAGARA. DISTRICT.
some saw-mills and a grist-mill. The mail-road
passes through it.
Crowland. 12. Soil, generally hard clay. It is
seated on the Chippewa, and a creek runs through
it, on which is a grist-mill. It is very badly off for
good water, except near the rivers, and in the upper
part of the township.
Gainsborough . 7. Soil, principally clay ; wet and
swampy, with some marsh : fronts the Chippewa
Creek, and another runs through it. Has two grist
and five saw mills, but is badly watered, except by
the creeks.
Grantham. 4. Soil, clay, black and yellow loam.
Its front is on Lake Ontario, and the Welland
Canal runs through it ; at the mouth of which is
Port Dalhousie, capable of being made an excellent
harbour, and already a place of great trade. The
flourishing village of St. Catherine is in this town-
ship on the Twelve Mile Creek. Here the water
power of the canal is made use of to drive numerous
grist, saw, carding, fulling, and other mills and
machinery : among them is a furnace and forge.
There are also salt works. The township, except by
the Twelve Mile Creek, is badly watered in dry
seasons.
Grimsby. 1. Soil, clay and yellow loam: the
front is on Lake Ontario ; and it has the Forty and
the Twenty Mile creeks running through it, on which
are several mills, and two small villages. It is well
NIAGARA DISTRICT.
91
settled towards the lake. The back part is wet and
swampy.
Humber stone. 16. Soil, clay and black mould :
it fronts Lake Erie. The land is generally low and
flat, with Cranbury Marsh over a great part. The
dry parts are well settled ; but the front is thinly
settled, and there are no mill-streams.
Louth . 3. Soil, clay and yellow loam. Its front
is on Lake Ontario, and the Twenty Mile Creek runs
through it, on which are many mills and mill-seats,
but labours under a deficiency of water (except in
the neighbourhood of the creek) in dry seasons.
Moulton. 14. This township is on Lake Erie,
and has the canal running through it : the greatest
part of it is a marsh wholly useless at present. At
the mouth of the canal is the village of Sherbrooke,
destined, no doubt, to rise into importance by means
of the canal.
Niagara. 5. Soil, sand, clay, and yellow and
black loam. One side rests on the Niagara river,
which is navigable for steam-boats all along its
frontier ; the other side is on Lake Ontario. The
town of Niagara is seated at the point of the angle
made by the lake and river. It contains nearly
1700 inhabitants, and sends a member to Parlia-
ment. The trade is considerable, both with the
back country, and also with the state of New York.
Fort George is near the town, where there is always
a strong detachment of British troops. The town
92
NIAGARA DISTRICT.
of Queenston is at the southern extremity, by the
river, but is not so large as Niagara. It has about
500 inhabitants. There is in this township a steam
mill, four grist and two saw mills, going by water-
power, and one windmill ; (the heights afford fine
opportunity for plenty of these if desirable ;) but the
water-power is not extensive.
Pelham . 8. Soil, sand, yellow loam and clay ;
its front is on the Chippewa river, which is a con-
tinuation of the canal* It is well watered with
springs, and has one desirable mill-stream, on which
are two grist-mills, three saw-mills, and a fulling-
mill. Part of it is much broken with short hills, and
some of it is light and sandy.
Stamford . 10. Soil clay, sand, and yellow loam :
has the river Niagara in front, not navigable ; for,
in its course along this township are the celebrated
Falls, and on the west side it has the Chippewa
Creek, navigable into the canal. The village of
Chippewa is at the mouth of the creek, and contains
200 inhabitants. Round the Falls, and at Lundy’s-
lane, it is thickly settled ; and, during fine weather,
thousands of visitors come to view the Falls. The
rapids above the Falls afford valuable sites for mills,
though at present none are erected. From Chip-
pewa the Niagara river is navigable to Lake Erie*
Thorold. 9. Soil, strong clay ; lies in the rear of
Stamford, but has one front to the Chippewa river,
and the canal running through it : is well settled,
and is, altogether, an eligible township.
LONDON DISTRICT.
93
Wainfieet. 15. Soil, clay and yellow loam ;
similar in character to Moulton, to which it joins.
IFilloughby. 13. Soil, in general hard clay ; low,
flat, and cold ; badly watered, and the quality of
the water bad. Does not appear to possess any ad-
vantages beyond its situation on the Niagara river
and Chippewa creek.
LONDON DISTRICT.
This district lies next to the westward; part of it fronts
Lake Erie, and the Huron tract, belonging to the
Canada Company, which is also part of it, fronts Lake
Huron for about sixty miles. It is nearly four times
the size of the Niagara district, not including the
Huron tract of 1,100,000 acres, nor about 500,000
acres not yet surveyed, adjoining the latter tract on
the north. It is watered by the river Thames,
which runs nearly through its whole length, some
branches of the Ouse, or Grand River, and by num-
berless creeks and streams, which run into Lakes
Erie or St. Clair. It has an excellent road along
the lake, called the Talbot Road, the Dundas Street,
which runs nearly through the middle, besides many
others connecting those two, and also running in
other directions. The eastern portion of this dis»
trict, called the Long Point country, is rather poor
94
LONDON DISTRICT.
and sandy, but is said, nevertheless, to yield sixteen
to twenty bushels of wheat per acre on the average,
but that, after two or three crops, it is necessary to
lay it down in grass. The land and crops in the
western part are described to be generally as fine as
possible, and in a most flourishing condition, consi-
dering the age of the settlement, which was not
commenced vigorously till 1817, by Colonel Talbot.
The chief towns in the district are Oxford and Lon-
don, both seated on the Thames (which to the latter
is navigable for boats from its mouth) and the Dun-
das Road. Along the shores of the lake there are
several villages ; the chief is Port Talbot. It is
divided into the counties of Middlesex, Oxford, and
Norfolk ; each sending two members to Parliament.
The population in 1830 was 22,803, and the asses-
sable property stated at 317,033 1.
Aldhorough . 19. The most western township,
with its front on Lake Erie, and its back on the
Thames, which is navigable to its mouth. Soil,
loam and clay.
Bay ham. 24. Soil, loam, and some clay in part
of it ; its front resting on the lake, and well watered
by the Otter creek.
Blandford. 9. Soil, loam and clay ; lies inland ;
is partly watered by the Thames, and has the town
of Oxford, and the Dundas Road near its southern
boundary : is well timbered.
Blenheim. 10. Soil, loamy: joins the last*
LONDON DISTRICT.
95
named, to the east, and is watered by some branches
of the Ouse. Dundas Road crosses its front, and it
is generally well timbered with oak and pine.
Burford. 15. The east part has a soil of sandy
loam ; the west part a rich loam. It is well wa-
tered, and the west part is well timbered. Lies in-
land.
Caradoc. 3. Soil, loamy: the Thames on the
east side, and otherwise well watered ; well tim-
bered with oak.
Charlotteville. 26. Soil, in front, towards the
lake, generally a sandy loam ; in the rear, light and
sandy. Fronts the lake ; is well watered with creeks
and springs, and has abundance of excellent bog
iron ore, which is worked near the lake, where there
is a village.
Dereham. 13. Soil, loam and clay. The Otter
Creek runs through it, and affords some mill seats ;
is well timbered ; lies inland.
Delaware. 4. Soil, loam and clay, with rich
flats by the Thames, which runs through its western
part : is well timbered with oak in parts.
Dorchester. 12. Soil, in the northern part, loam;
well watered, and well timbered with pine. To the
south it is sandy and swampy ; inland.
Dunwich. 20. Soil, loam and clay ; fronts the
lake ; is well watered and timbered.
96
LONDON DISTRICT. -
Ehfrid. 2. Soil, loamy ; is well watered, and
has the Thames on the south-east: well timbered
with oak and maple.
Hovghton. 30. Soil, sandy loam : fronts on the
lake; is well watered and timbered.
Lobo. 5. Loam and clay. The Thames is on
the south-east border, and otherwise well watered,
and is well timbered in front, towards the Thames,
with oak and maple.
London. 6. Soil, a rich loam. The Thames runs
through it, and on its banks is the town of London,
very advantageously situate, where a branch which
traverses the township enters it. It is well watered
throughout, and well timbered.
Malahide . 23. Soil, loam and clay : its front is
on the lake ; is well watered, and well timbered.
Middleton . 25. Soil, sandy, with swamps, but
affords good pine timber, and has good iron ore.
Big Creek runs through it : inland.
Mosa. 1. Soil, loam and clay. The Thames
runs on the south-east side ; and some streams from
the Big Bear Creek enter its north-west portion.
Well timbered with oak and maple.
Nissouri. 7. Soil, a rich loam ; well watered,
and well timbered : inland.
Norwich. 14. Soil, a rich loam. The Big Creek
runs through, and presents some sites for mills : is
well timbered ; inland.
LONDON DISTRICT.
97
Oakland . 16. A small inland township. Soil,
sandy loam ; not well watered or well timbered :
has good roads through it.
Oxford . 32. This is a large township, and is
divided into east, west, and north. The soil of the
whole is loam and clay, well timbered throughout, but
the west section is the best watered. The Thames
runs through it : on its banks is the town of Oxford,
by which the Dundas Street passes.
Rainham . 29. Soil, generally clay ; rich and
fertile ; fronts on the lake. Stony Creek and other
small streams run through it: well timbered.
Southwold . 21. Soil loamy : fronts the lake, and
has Kettle Creek passing through a part of it : well
timbered.
Townsend. 18. Soil a sandy loam: well watered
and well timbered : oak predominates in the west
part, and good pine in the east ; and there are
some mill-sites in it: inland. The Nantikoke Creek
waters a part.
Walpole . 28. Soil rich and fertile in front, and
the rear generally clay ; fronts the lake. The St.
Gus and Nantikoke creeks run through it, and
afford some mill-sites. Well timbered, and some
pine among it.
Walsingham. 31. A rich loam in the front ; and
in the rear hungry sand. Fronts the lake, and has
F
98
LONDON DISTRICT.
Big Creek running through it, on which are some
mill-sites. It is well timbered.
Westminster. 11. Inland: soil, rich and loamy ;
well timbered with maple, buck, oak, &c. The
Thames bounds a part of it.
Windham . 17. Generally sandy, though loamy
in parts, and has several swamps. The timber
principally pine, but not useful for building pur-
poses : the best timber is in the west part : inland.
Woodhouse . 27. Soil, sandy loam in the western
part, and rich loam in the east, inclining to clay :
fronts the lake ; is well watered and timbered, has
several mill-sites, and good roads in front and rear.
Yarmouth . 22. A sandy loam, rich and fertile ;
fronts the lake ; is well watered and well timbered,
among which is good oak.
Zora. 8. Soil loamy, well watered, and well
timbered with maple, beech, and oak : inland.
HURON TRACT.
This large tract of land, containing 1 100,000 acres,
purchased by the Canada Land Company, is within
the bounds of the London district. The general
character of the soil given by the explorers is that of
HURON TRACT.
99
being rich and fertile throughout. The River Mait-
land is the principal stream which enters Lake
Huron towards the north angle; but there are many
smaller streams which flow into the lake through it.
Its frontage to the Huron is considerable, from whence
there is uninterrupted navigation to Lake Erie.
Settlement is principally going on in the neighbour-
hood of Goderich, which is built on the Maitland at
its mouth, and has advanced very rapidly in the last
three years. The townships of Ellice and Logan
lie partly in one of the largest swamps in Upper
Canada. The Company are forming roads through
it, to join the roads leading to Port Talbot, on Lake
Erie, and also towards Guelph and York.
Biddulph. b.
Hay. d.
Blanchard, o.
Hullett. h ,
Bosanquet. . (In the
Hibbert. n .
Western District).
Logan, p.
Colborne. a.
M4Gillivray. f
Downie. s.
M‘Killop. m.
Easthope (north), t.
Stanley, c .
Easthope (south), u.
Stephen, e.
Ellice, r.
Tucker Smith, i.
Fullarton. q.
Usborne. k.
Goderich, b.
Williams, g.
F 2
100
WESTERN DISTRICT,
This district is a peninsular tract, between Lakes
Huron and Erie, and the small Lake St. Clair.
There are but three townships — Dawn, Zone, and
Camden, that have not a frontage to the lakes, and
schooner navigation. The two last-named are
watered by the Thames, and consequently have boat
navigation. The western extremity was early settled
under the French, and is by far the most populous.
The chief towns are Amherstburg, Sandwich and
Chatham. The first is in the township of Maldon,
and has a population of 1200, or more, and is a
town of some wealth and refinement. It is the
chief military post on Lake Erie, and has a safe and
commodious harbour, with 3t> fathoms of water, and
is most beautifully situate. The town of Sandwich
is eighteen miles from Amherstburg, to the north.
It is seated nearly opposite the large American town
of Detroit, the principal town in the state of Mi-
chigan ; and the trade between these towns is very
considerable. The population is not much less than
Amherstburg. Chatham is on the Thames, fifteen
miles from its mouth* where a large stream runs into
it. The situation is extremely good, and the river
is navigable for vessels of considerable burden up to
it. The corporation inspectors do not appear to
have reported on the townships of this district indi-
vidually, as in most others. The surveyor-general
WESTERN DISTRICT.
101
speaks of it thus : ‘ The river Thames winds through
a fine fiat country, extremely fertile and rich ; its
sides present a great number of fine plains and ex-
cellent meadows : the soil is principally a light
sandy earth, mixed with marl and a reddish clay.’
There is, however, much land in the townships of
Harwich, Maidstone, Romney, Rochester, Raleigh,
and Tilbury, that at present are very wet and marshy,
but within the power of being drained, and made
good lands *. Hemp and tobacco have both been
cultivated with success here ; the latter to a consi-
derable extent, and the quality is very good. The
natural meadows on the Thames present an oppor-
tunity for the raising of sheep advantageously ; and
the climate is said to agree particularly with them.
A road runs round the frontier, but as the water
communication is so good, roads are not so much
required as in some parts. It is divided into the
counties of Kent and Essex. The population in
1831 was returned at 9288, and the assessable pro-
perty at 124,577. Essex sends two members, and
Kent one to the Parliament.
Baldon. 22.
Bosanquet. 1
Camden. 7.
Chatham. 4.
Colchester. 19,
Dawn. 5.
Gosfield. 20.
Harwich. 15.
* Point Pele, in front of Mersey (10), is a marshy lake, sur-
rounded with a narrow strip of high land.
102
WESTERN DISTRICT.
Howard. 16.
Maidstone. 10.
Maldon, 18.
Mersey. 21.
Orford. 17.
Raleigh. 14.
Rochester. 1 1 .
Romney. 12.
St. Clair. 2.
Sandwich. 9.
Sombra. 3.
Tilbury (east). 13.
Tilbury (west). 8.
Zone. 6.
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
No. I.
OFFICE OF HIS MAJESTY’S RESIDENT AGENT FOR
THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF SETTLERS AND EMI-
GRANTS IN THE CANADAS.
Quebec , 1st August, 1831.
Notice is hereby given to settlers and emigrants arriv-
ing from the United Kingdom, and wishing to locate on
lands belonging to the crown in Upper and Lower
Canada, that there are many situations in either pro-
vince whereon they may settle to great advantage, and
which will be granted on very easy terms to industrious
settlers for actual settlement.
IN LOWER CANADA.
His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief has been
pleased to order the crown lands in the townships of
Inverness and Leeds, near Craig’s Road, to be reserved
for industrious settlers arriving from the United King-
dom. These lands are distant from Quebec thirty-six or
forty miles, on the south side of the river St. Lawrence,
with good roads ail the way, and a new road to the
centre of Inverness is being made, which affords em-
ployment to settlers : the climate is exceedingly healthy,
soil of the first quality, abounding in numerous navigable
lakes and rivers. Many Scotch, English, and Irish
106
APPENDIX.
families located in this part of the country last summer,
and are exceedingtv pleased with their situation.
The price fixed for these crown lands to actual settlers
is 4s. per acre, Halifax currency ; and families whose
means are limited will get 100 acres on a quit-rent of
20 s. a year, until they are enabled to redeem the pur-
chase at 4$. per acre. Crown lands vacant in other
townships may be had on payment of a small quit rent.
UPPER CANADA.
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor has been
pleased to order to be reserved the township of Ops, in
the district of Newcastle, Upper Canada, for the recep-
tion of industrious emigrants from the United Kingdom,
and who may be disposed to settle in that province.
There are other situations where emigrants may get
locations ; but to those who have no fixed place in view,
the township of Ops will be found, in everyway, a most
desirable situation.
These lands are situate about thirty miles from Lake
Ontario, on the north side, and adjoining the prosperous
township of Cavan, and near the Rice Lakes. The price
fixed for those crown lands to actual settlers is 4s. per
acre, Halifax currency, payable in five years, with in-
terest, from the time of taking possession, and one year’s
interest in advance.
Persons disposed to locate in either of the above Pro-
vinces (if approved of) will be provided with a ticket
from the office of his Majesty’s resident agent for the
superintendence of settlers in the Canadas, at Quebec,
to the location agent in the respective townships, which
will entitle the settler to such lot as he may choose, and
vacant at the time; and on the back of such ticket
APPENDIX.
107
directions will be found for his guidance in proceeding
to his destination.
Any further information may be obtained (gratis) on
applying at the Resident Agent's office, in the Lower
Town (Sault au Matelot-street, entrance in St. Peter-
street, nearly opposite the Bank of Montreal), daily,
from ten till two o’clock ; and emigrants not possessed
of immediate means to go upon lands, and who are in
want of employment, will obtain information at the above
office for their guidance, with the probable demand for
labour and artisans, rates of wages, & c. at the various
works now in progress in the Canadas*.
A. C. Buchanan,
Resident Agent for the Superintendence of Settlers
and Emigrants in the Canadas.
* As emigrants on arriving at Quebec are exposed to nume-
rous temptations, they would materially advance their own in-
terest if they will exercise a little prudence, and not suffer them-
selves to be hurried away by every representation that may be
presented to their notice.
The heads of families ought to repair, as soon as possible
after arrival, to the office of his Majesty’s resident agent for
the superintendence of settlers, whose especial duty it is to give
all the information in his power (gratis) to industrious emi-
grants, who may wish to settle in Upper or Lower Canada.
Labourers are wanted in all the eastern townships, and brick-
layers and stone-masons are wanted at the King’s Works, on
Cape Diamond.
108
APPENDIX.
No. II.
CLIMATE, SOIL, AND PRODUCTIONS OF UPPER
CANADA.
From an Official Report of an Agent of his Majesty’s Govern-
ment, laid before a Select Committee of the House of Commons ,
in 1823, by his Majesty’s Under Secretary of State for the Colo-
nial Department .
The climate of Upper Canada is considerably milder
than that of the Lower Province, and the winter shorter
in the same proportion. In both these respects it im-
proves as you proceed to the westward ; so much so,
that although the frost generally sets in in November,
at its eastern extremity, and continues in that neigh-
bourhood till the middle of April, it rarely commences
on the shores of Lake Erie before Christmas, and it
usually disappears between the 25th of March and the
1st of April.
On a comparison with the climate of Great Britain,
the heat in the summer months is somewhat greater,
but never oppressive, as it is always accompanied with
light breezes. There is less rain than in England, but it
falls at more regular periods, generally in the spring and
autumn. The winter cold, though it exceeds that of the
British isles, is the less sensibly felt, in consequence of
its dryness, and seldom continues intense for more than
three days together, owing to the regular fluctuation of
the wind between the north-west and south-west points.
It may be observed, that the winter season is the most
favourable to land-carriage, as the roads then admit of
sledging in all directions, which is a very expeditious
mode of conveyance, and attended with but little draft ;
so that one horse or ox can, in this manner, easily draw
double what he can upon wheels. It is hardly necessary
APPENDIX.
109
to state, that, in a country so overspread with timber,
there can never be a deficiency of fuel. As the forests
disappear, the climate improves.
Soil. — Upper Canada is blessed with as productive a
soil as any in the world, and it is easily brought into
cultivation. The nature of the soil may be invariably
discovered by the description of timber it bears. Thus,
on what is called hard-timbered land, where the maple,
beech, black birch, ash, cherry, lime, elm, oak, black
walnut, butter-nut, hickory, plane, and tulip tree, &c.,
are found, the soil consists of a deep black loam. Where
the fir and hemlock pine are intermixed in any consider-
able proportion with other trees, clay predominates ;
but where they grow alone, which is generally on ele-
vated situations, sand prevails. This also happens
where the oak and chestnut are the only trees. These
sandy soils, though naturally unfavourable to meadow
and pasture, are found to produce the brightest and
heaviest wheats, and can, with the assistance of gypsum,
which abounds in many parts of the province, be made to
bear the finest possible crops of clover and Indian com.
In moist seasons the clay furnish the greatest burden of
grass. Perhaps there does not exist, in any quarter of
the globe, a country of the extent of Upper Canada,
containing so small a quantity of w7aste land, either of
marsh or mountain, yet there is not any deficiency of
water; for, independently of the numerous rivers and
streams which flow7 through the country on every side,
good springs are universally found either on the surface
or by digging for them.
Natural Productions. — The timber most esteemed in
Upper Canada for building and farming purposes is the
110
APPENDIX.
white oak (very similar to the English), and the yellow
pine, a sort of deal which cuts up into excellent boards,
as does also the tulip-tree, which there grows to an im-
mense size. This latter timber is by many considered
the best for weather boarding, from its superior facility
in taking paint, and being of the poplar tribe, it is less
liable than most other woods to accidents from fire, as
it never blazes ; the oak and hickory are principally used
for ploughs, cart-wheels, &c.
The black walnut, cherry, and curled maple, work up
into durable and beautiful furniture of all sorts. From
the maple, the settlers, by a very simple and easy pro-
cess of tapping, obtain in a few days a sufficient quan-
tity of sugar to supply their families for a year ; many,
indeed, manufacture a considerable surplus for sale.
Soap may be made in any quantities from the wood-
ashes, with the addition of a certain proportion of tallow
or, grease of any kind. Plums, cherries, crab -apples
(which latter yield an excellent preserve), gooseberries,
currants, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, cranberries,
walnuts, chestnuts, and filberts, grow wild in the woods,
where game is sufficiently abundant ; consisting of red-
deer, hares, pheasants, woodcocks, snipes, and quails,
with many other birds, good for the table ; in which
enumeration should not be omitted the wild pigeon,
which, at certain periods of the year, migrate from the
westward in flocks of such magnitude as surpasses all
description, and are excellent eating.
Grain , tyc. — The grain grown in Upper Canada con-
sists of spring and winter wheat, oats, barley, rye, buck-
wheat, and Indian corn, the last of which is a most im-
portant article of consumption. Peas are the only field
pulse cultivated there ; the summer heats being consi-
APPENDIX.
Ill
derably too great for beans. There are potatoes, tur-
nips, pumpkins, clover (red and white), and timothy grass.
Both flax and hemp grow remarkably well.
Fruit and Vegetables. — All the fruits and herbs, com-
mon to the English kitchen-garden, thrive well in this
province ; and several of the former, which cannot in
all seasons be had in perfection, in England, without
orcing, succeed there in the open air ; melons, in parti-
cular, which are excellent. There is also a great variety
of apples, pears, plums, &c„ of the finest quality which
are known to European orchards. The stone-fruit is
also raised on standards.
Agriculture. — Course of crops : the soil being of such
a nature as not to need manure, the same attention is
not there paid to the regular succession of crops as in
Great Britain. i\fter wheat, which is generally harvested
in the month of July and beginning of August, rye can
be sown on the same ground in the autumn to advan-
tage ; the rye crop is frequently laid down with clover
or grass seed, which, unless the farmer is pressed for
ground, will continue to furnish good meadow and pas-
ture for four or five years, otherwise it is ploughed up
before winter, and in the spring put into pease, spring
wheat, Indian corn, barley, oats, or buck-wheat, all of
which answer very well ; the two first rather benefiting
than impoverishing the land. The leaves and tops of
the Indian corn are likewise excellent winter food for
cattle, particularly milch-cows. After any of these latter
crops, wheat may be sown again ; potatoes and turnips
succeed well upon newly cleared land, as a first crop;
potatoes being put into the ground with a hand-hoe,
from the beginning of May till the middle of June; tur-
* #*
'112 APPENDIX*
nips |re sown about the first week in August, after the
eatest heat has subsided, and at which time the fly
has disappeared, simply requiring the harrow. It is to
be understood that the new land is never ploughed for
the first crop. Timothy is the grass most cultivated, as
it affords a large burden of the best hay, besides good
after-grass; however, it is best mixed with clover, to
which it serves as a support, and prevents matting.
To this may be added the following general rules, ex-
tracted from ‘ Stuart’s Emigrant’s Guide,’ published in
1820. “The oak and chestnut generally grow ~on dry
ground ; the latter more especially on ridges. The black
oak and chestnut grow on a sandy and poor soil, as do
the various species of pine, including the hemlock.
White and red oak, blended with other woods, bespeak a
strong and lasting soil. Beech and white oak lands seem
most favourable for wheat. The maples and black wal-
nut— particularly the latter, where it grows in large
clusters — point out the richest soils ; generally low and
somewhat damp, in a state of nature, but only requiring
clearance to become abundantly dry. Amongst the un-
derwood, the prickly ash and spice wood promise the
best.”
No. III.
Colonial Office , 9 th Feb . 1 832.
Passages to Quebec or New Brunswick may either
be engaged inclusive of provisions, or exclusive of provi-
sions ; in which case the shipowner finds nothing but
water, fuel, and bed-places, without bedding. Children
under fourteen years of age are charged one-half, and
under seven years of age one-third of the full price ; and
for children under twelve months of age no charge is
APPENDIX.
113
made. Upon these conditions the price of passaj&from
London, or from places on the east coast of Great Bri-
tain, has generally been 6 1. with provisions, or 31. with-
out. From Liverpool, Greenock, and the principal ports
of Ireland, as the chances of delay are fewer, the charge
is somewhat lower; this year it will probably be from
2 1. to 2 1. 105. without provisions, or from 4 1. to 5l. in-
cluding provisions. It is possible, that, in March and
April, passages may be obtained from Dublin for 355. or
even 305. ; but the prices always grow higher as the
season advances. In ships sailing from Scotland or
Ireland, it has mostly been the custom for passengers to
find their own provisions ; but this practice has not
been so general in London, and some ship-owners, sen-
sible of the dangerous mistakes which may be made in
this matter through ignorance, are very averse to receive
passengers who will not agree to be victualled by the
ship. Those who do resolve to supply their own provi-
sions should at least be careful not to lay in an insuffi-
cient stock ; fifty days is the shortest period for which
it is safe to provide ; and from London the passage is
sometimes prolonged to seventy-five days.
The best months for leaving England are certainly
March and April ; the later emigrants do not find em-
ployment so abundant, and have less time in the colony
before the commencement of winter. The names of
vessels proceeding to the North American colonies, and
the addresses of their brokers, may be learnt at all ports
of the United Kingdom, including the port of London,
by personal application at the Custom House of each
port. The officers of Customs, however, will not be
able to answer written inquiries on the subject ; and
persons residing inland, who may require information of
this nature, must depute the inquiry to some one at the
G
114
APPENDIX.
port where they wish to embark. Many ships are ad-
vertised in the public newspapers.
Various frauds are attempted upon emigrants which
can only be effectually defeated by the good sense of the
parties against which they are contrived, Sometimes
agents take payment from the emigrant for his passage,
and then recommend him to some tavern, where he is
detained from day to day, under false pretences for delay,
until, before the departure of the ship, the whole of his
money is extracted from him. This of course cannot
happen with agents connected with respectable houses ;
but the best security is to name in the bargain for pas-
sage a particular day, after which, whether or not the
ship sails, the passenger is to be received on board, and
victualled by the owners. In this manner the emigrant
cannot be intentionally brought to the place of embarka-
tion too soon, and be compelled to spend his money at
public-houses, by false accounts of the time of sailing ;
for, from the very day of his arrival at the port, being
the day previously agreed upon, the ship becomes his
home.
The conveyance of passengers to the British posses-
sions in North America is regulated by an Act of Par-
liament (9 Geo. IV. c. 21), of which the following are
the principal provisions : ships are not allowed to carry
passengers to these colonies unless they be of the height
of five feet and a half between decks, and they must not
carry more than three passengers for every four tons of
the registered burden. There must be on board at least
fifty gallons of pure water, and fifty pounds of bread,
biscuit, oatmeal, or bread stuff, for each passenger.
When the ship carries the full number of passengers
allowed by lawr, no part of the cargo, and no stores or
provisions, may be carried between decks ; but if there
APPENDIX.
115
be less than the complete number of passengers, goods
may be stowed between decks in a proportion not ex-
ceeding three cubical feet for each passenger wanting of
the highest number. Masters of vessels who land pas-
sengers, unless with their own consent, at a place differ-
ent from that originally agreed upon, are subject to a
penalty of 20^., recoverable by summary process before
two justices of the peace in any of the North American
colonies.
The enforcement of this law rests chiefly with the
officers of his Majesty’s Customs; and persons having
complaints to make of its infraction should address
themselves to the nearest Custom-house.
Besides the sea voyage from England, persons pro-
ceeding to Canada should be provided with the means
of paying for the journey which they may have to make
ftear their arrival at Quebec. The cost of this journey
must, of course, depend upon the situation of the place
where the individual may find employment, or where he
may have previously formed a wish to settle ; but to all
it will probably be useful to possess the following report
of the prices of conveyance, during the last season, on
the route from Quebec to York, the capital of Upper
Canada. From Quebec to Montreal (180 miles), by
steam-boat, the charge for an adult was 6$. 6 d. ; from
Montreal to Prescot (120 miles), by boats or barges, 7 s.;
from Prescot to York (250 miles), by steam-boat, 7s.
The journey, performed in this manner, usually occupies
ten or twelve days ; adding, therefore, 11 s. for provisions
the total cost from Quebec to York (a distance of 550
miles) may be stated, according to the charges of last
year, at 1 l. 11 s. 6d. Persons who are possessed of suffi-
cient means prefer to travel by land that part of the
route where the river St. Lawrence is not navigable by
G 2
116
APPENDIX.
steam-boats, and the journey is then usually performed
in six days, at a cost of 6/. It must be observed, that
the prices of conveyance are necessarily fluctuating, and
that the foregoing account is only presented as suffi-
ciently accurate for purposes of information in this
country ; leaving it to the Government agent at Quebec
to supply emigrants with more exact particulars, accord-
ing to the circumstances of the time at which they may
arrive.
London : Punted by W. Clowes, Stamford-street.
& ♦
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11